ACR Urges Senate to Reconsider Student Loan Program Changes

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) and other medical associations noted problems with proposed changes to student loans developed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) to be included in the Senate’s federal budget reconciliation legislative package. The provisions will be considered by the full Senate in the coming days.

In a communication to Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), HELP Committee chair, and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), HELP Committee ranking member, the medical groups cautioned that the student loan provisions would make medical and dental education less accessible to many qualified individuals, exacerbating workforce shortages and jeopardizing patient access to care.

ACR and others previously communicated with U.S. House leadership about student loan provisions that were included the reconciliation package that chamber passed. While it is encouraging that HELP’s version retains the ability for undergraduate students to receive subsidized loans, unlike the House-passed version, the proposed loan limits ($100,000 for graduate programs and $200,000 for professional programs) combined with the elimination of the GradPLUS loan program, still present a significant barrier for students pursuing medical and dental school. The groups also expressed disappointment that language enabling physicians and dentists to defer a portion of their federal student loans interest free while in residency was excluded from HELP’s version, despite being included in the House-passed bill.

ACR looks forward to working with Congress to ensure the physician pipeline remains strong. If you have questions, contact Ashley Walton, ACR Government Affairs Director.