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- Federal loan policy must encourage, not dissuade, future doctors
The CAP and other medical associations urged the Department of Education to maintain federal loan access for medical students amid changes resulting from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The details: The bill's new $257,500 lifetime borrowing cap and the elimination of the Graduate Plus Loan could force many medical students to rely on high-interest private loans.
- This could deter students, particularly from rural and underserved communities, from entering the medical field.
- Maintaining loan access is crucial to addressing physician workforce shortages.
The big picture: Physician groups want to preserve exceptions allowing medical students to borrow beyond statutory limits and for interest-free deferment during residencies.
- We need to work collaboratively to adjust policies and safeguard the future physician workforce.
Go deeper: Read the letter to the Department of Education.