A coalition of Republican lawmakers is working to reverse a decision made during the Trump administration that imposed caps on loans for graduate nursing students. This decision, part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," set a lifetime borrowing limit of $100,000 for nursing graduate programs, which nursing organizations argue is insufficient to cover the costs of advanced education in the field.

The Department of Education excluded nursing from the list of professional degrees eligible for higher borrowing limits, which are set at $200,000 for other fields. This exclusion has raised concerns among nursing professionals, who warn that it could undermine patient care by restricting access to necessary funding for nursing education. Representative Mike Lawler of New York is leading efforts, alongside four other Republican representatives, to amend this policy and include nursing in the list of professional degrees eligible for higher loan limits.

Lawler and his colleagues, including Representatives Jen Kiggans, Don Bacon, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Rob Bresnahan, have expressed that the current loan cap is detrimental, especially in light of a national healthcare shortage. They argue that limiting financial access to nursing programs is counterproductive at a time when the demand for healthcare services is increasing.

In a bipartisan letter signed by 140 lawmakers, the group urged the Department of Education to reconsider the loan cap, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a robust pipeline of nursing professionals. Kiggans, who is also a nurse practitioner, highlighted the need for inclusivity in educational funding for nursing, stating that the current policy is disrespectful to the profession.

The Department of Education has responded to the backlash by asserting that the majority of nursing students do not exceed the current borrowing limits. However, nursing organizations have criticized this stance, arguing that the exclusion of nursing from the definition of professional degrees undermines progress toward equity in healthcare education. They contend that limiting access to funding for nursing education threatens the foundation of patient care, particularly as the country faces a significant nursing shortage.

Statements from nursing leaders, including Jennifer Mensik Kennedy of the American Nurses Association and Mary Turner of National Nurses United, have pointed out that the administration's policies are misaligned with the needs of healthcare professionals and patients. They argue that true support for nurses would involve improving working conditions and expanding educational opportunities rather than imposing financial barriers.