1. United States
2. Conn.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the Department of Education's implementation of measures from the One Big Beautiful Bill, particularly the reclassification of certain degrees as non-professional. This change, set to take effect in July 2026, will have far-reaching consequences for our healthcare system, education sector, and other critical areas of our society. The new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) caps annual loans at $20,500 for graduate students in degrees not classified as professional. This list now excludes nursing, physician assistants, physical therapists, educators, social workers, and many other essential professions. This reclassification is short-sighted and potentially devastating to our workforce. We are already facing severe shortages in these fields. By making it more difficult for students to finance their education in these areas, we risk exacerbating these shortages to a critical level. For instance, the nursing profession, which has been at the forefront of our healthcare system, especially during recent crises, is now excluded from the professional degree category. This decision undermines the value of nursing and could deter future students from pursuing this vital career. Furthermore, this policy disproportionately affects women, who make up a significant portion of the workforce in many of these fields. It sends a troubling message about the value we place on traditionally female-dominated professions and could push women out of professional careers. The American Nurses Association has initiated a petition to include nursing as a professional degree, highlighting the widespread concern about this reclassification. I urge you to support this petition and to push for a broader reconsideration of the degree classifications under the new policy. We need immediate action to reverse these changes before they take effect in 2026. Please work to ensure that nursing, education, social work, and other essential professions retain their rightful status as professional degrees. Our society's health, education, and well-being depend on maintaining a strong workforce in these critical fields. Act now to protect these professions and the future of our essential services.