WALLINGFORD – Jennifer Jackson, CEO of the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA), applauded Governor Ned Lamont’s proposal announced today and detailed in Senate Bill 85 to create the Connecticut Supplemental Graduate Student Loan Program. The legislation is intended to support graduate students who could be harmed by proposed federal restrictions on student loan borrowing for those pursuing post-graduate training in healthcare and related social service professions. In addition to the sweeping changes to federal student lending enacted by H.R.1, the U.S. Department of Education’s complementary proposed regulation would further slash borrowing caps for these essential fields.
“We appreciate Governor Lamont’s proposal and the strong message it sends — that Connecticut stands with its healthcare workforce and believes in supporting opportunities for growth, advancement, and service to others,” said Jennifer Jackson, CEO, CHA.
“The federal student loan changes being considered in Washington would put graduate education further out of reach for many dedicated professionals and risk deepening persistent healthcare workforce shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. For many caregivers striving to advance their training, these limits could make these programs unaffordable and unattainable for many, closing doors to critical roles such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, pediatric providers, and rehabilitation specialists, including physical, occupational, and speech therapists — the very professionals patients and families rely on every day.
“At a time when the need to nurture and grow the healthcare workforce has never been greater, we must focus on strengthening recruitment, expanding access to education, and supporting attainable pathways into high-demand fields, not creating new barriers. The governor’s proposal recognizes what is at stake and will help mitigate some immediate impacts on current and aspiring providers. It also serves as an important reminder that sustained, long-term solutions are essential to ensure Connecticut can continue to educate, recruit, and retain the compassionate, highly skilled healthcare workforce on which our communities depend,” said Jackson.
