Statement: Every Health Care Professional Matters

Statement of Charmaine S. Morales, RN, President, United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals:

The Department of Education believes doctors deserve greater access to student loans than nurses, physical therapists, physician assistants, and countless other health care professionals whose work is deemed less professional by this administration.

This isn’t just an insult. It’s a policy that is reckless and dangerous.

We’re already facing critical shortages across every sector of health care. Hospitals are already overwhelmed. Patients are waiting longer for care. Communities are facing worse health outcomes. And now this administration wants to make it harder—not easier—for people to enter the professions we desperately need.

The Department of Education has rewritten the rules on who can borrow money for graduate school. This new list has only 10 professional degrees that qualify for higher loan limits—and nearly every health care profession we represent has been left out.

Starting in 2026, the government would eliminate Graduate PLUS loans for anyone not on that list.

That means 300,000 students training in professions—ranging from nursing to rehab therapy—will lose access to the federal loans they need to finish their degrees.

The result? Fewer nurse practitioners and physician assistants in rural clinics. Fewer nurse anesthetists in operating rooms. Fewer physical and occupational therapists helping patients recover. Fewer speech language pathologists working with children. Fewer dietitians managing chronic diseases. And most importantly, fewer educators to teach the next generation.

Many of these professions are crucial. They provide the backbone of care delivery across the nation. And now the federal government is trying to say their work isn’t professional.

Let’s make it possible for more people to afford health care education. Period.

Health care professionals deserve respect.

Patients deserve better.

We call on the Department of Education to immediately reverse this policy.

We, the registered nurses and health care professionals of UNAC/UHCP, will defend our professions and protect our patients with everything we have.