URGENT: Federal Rule Threatens PA Education Funding — Comment Deadline is Tomorrow

URGENT: Federal Rule Threatens PA Education Funding — Comment Deadline is Tomorrow

Utah's healthcare workforce is already stretched thin — and a proposed federal rule could make things significantly worse.

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed redefining "professional program" in a way that would exclude physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and other advanced clinicians from eligibility for higher federal graduate student loan limits. If finalized, the rule would impose a $25,000 annual loan cap beginning in July 2026 — far below the actual cost of PA programs. For many students, this would make a PA education financially unattainable.

UAPA has joined with Utah Nurse Practitioners to oppose this rule. Our letter to the editor, published today in the Deseret News, outlines the threat this proposed change poses to Utah's clinical workforce — particularly in rural communities and rapidly growing population centers. Congress has raised bipartisan concerns that the proposal does not align with the law or legislative intent.

Now we need you to act.

The public comment period closes tomorrow, March 2nd at 11:59 PM. Submitting a comment is one of the most direct ways you can influence federal rulemaking. We encourage every UAPA member — whether you are a practicing PA, a PA-C student, or an educator — to submit a comment urging the Department of Education not to finalize this rule.

Submit your public comment: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ED-2025-OPE-0944

Read UAPA's letter to the editor in the Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2026/03/01/dept-of-education-changes-profesional-program-health-care-shortages/

Thank you for standing up for the future of the PA profession and the patients who depend on us.