Medical Groups Concerned About Proposed Cuts to Student Loan Programs

This article was updated on May 22 to reflect recent Congressional activity.

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) and other medical associations pushed back on a proposal advanced by the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce that would dramatically change financial aid programs that enable aspiring physicians to attend medical school. The full House voted on and passed this proposal as part of a larger legislative reconciliation package, HR 1, on May 22. As a next step, the Senate must consider the legislation as well.

In a communication to House leadership, the medical associations explained that while the legislation’s intended purpose is to decrease the growing costs of higher education tuition, it will actually have the opposite effect. The legislation would prevent residents from counting residency years toward public service loan forgiveness and add new limits on federal student aid. Specifically, it would eliminate the Grad PLUS program, place borrowing caps on federal student loans of: $50,000 for undergraduate programs; $100,000 for graduate student programs; and $150,000 for professional programs.

These proposed changes would result in far fewer students being able to afford medical school, exacerbating existing physician shortages across the country. ACR urges Congress to reconsider its approach to ensure the U.S. can continue to produce much-needed physicians to care for its growing population.

If you have questions, contact Ashley Walton, ACR Government Affairs Director.