1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and to urge you to take immediate action to protect this vital benefit for our dedicated public servants, especially nurses. The U.S. Department of Education's new rule, set to take effect in July 2026, allows the Secretary of Education to deny loan forgiveness if an employer engages in a 'substantial illegal purpose.' This vague criterion threatens to undermine the very foundation of the PSLF program, which has been a beacon of hope for countless public service workers since its establishment in 2007. As you may be aware, 22 states, including Colorado, have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education to block this rule. This legal action underscores the widespread concern about the potential consequences of this change. The PSLF program was designed to erase federal student loan debt for government and nonprofit employees after 10 years of public service and consistent payments. It has been a crucial tool in attracting and retaining talented individuals in critical public service roles, including nursing. Nurses, who form the backbone of our healthcare system, often graduate with substantial student debt. The promise of loan forgiveness after a decade of service has been a significant factor in their decision to pursue and remain in this essential profession. By potentially denying forgiveness based on ideological grounds, we risk not only breaking our promise to these dedicated professionals but also exacerbating the nursing shortage that many communities already face. I urge you to stand with the states challenging this rule and to use your position to advocate for the preservation of the PSLF program in its original intent. Please work to ensure that the Department of Education rescinds this harmful rule before its implementation in 2026. Our nurses and other public servants deserve our support and the fulfillment of the promises made to them. The stability of our public services, including healthcare, education, and government operations, depends on our ability to attract and retain skilled professionals. Let's not jeopardize this by introducing uncertainty into a program that has been instrumental in supporting those who choose to serve the public good. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to protect loan forgiveness for nurses and all public servants who have dedicated their careers to serving our communities.