The Connecticut Hospital Association’s (CHA) statement on the U.S. Department of Education‘s new definition of professional programs and its impact on clinical and social service professions:
“Our nation is facing a critical healthcare workforce shortage. In this moment, we must all focus on strengthening recruitment, expanding access to education, and supporting attainable pathways into healthcare careers – not creating barriers. Lowering loan caps for high-demand clinical fields undermines efforts to grow the workforce and shows a troubling lack of vision for the future of care. Instead of lifting up essential professions, it sends a discouraging message to many practicing and aspiring providers, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, critical roles in the rehabilitation services (including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy), pediatric providers, and others at the heart of care delivery. These policy changes will only make it harder to build and sustain the workforce that patients will rely on in the future.”
