1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

The proposed changes to federal student loan programs risk undermining the future physician workforce and jeopardizing access to healthcare, particularly in underserved communities. Eliminating the Grad PLUS loan program would shut out many aspiring doctors from lower-income backgrounds who rely on these loans to afford the high costs of medical education. Additionally, excluding medical residency from qualifying for Public Service Loan Forgiveness would deter students from pursuing careers in primary care and serving disadvantaged populations due to the significant debt burden. These policies threaten to exacerbate the doctor shortage and reduce diversity in medicine. I urge you to reject provisions that would limit Grad PLUS loans or alter Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for medical residents. Accessible loan options and forgiveness incentives are crucial for ensuring all qualified individuals can become physicians, regardless of their financial circumstances. The long-term consequences of these changes would be severely detrimental to healthcare access and equity. Please protect programs that make the dream of a medical career attainable for students of all backgrounds.