Many students have no interest in the martial art aspect of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, and so they don't see the point or benefit of practicing push hands.
Health is their primary goal.
Longevity, vitality and relaxation is their motive. I have come to think that the skills we learn in push hands can help us protect ourselves from these kinds of pressures, as well. So many times we have heard our teacher, William Ting. He is usually talking about opening the body and expanding physical movement, but I think we can use his words to open our minds to experience, as well. Let's not narrow our focus and be satisfied with just form.