Health Care Community Letter on Higher Ed Provisions in the Senate Reconciliation Bill

Dear Senate Majority Leader Thune and Senate Minority Leader Schumer:

On behalf of the 56 undersigned national and state organizations that represent patients, healthcare providers, and health professions education programs, we are writing to express our deep concern with the higher education provisions in the House-passed budget reconciliation bill, specifically the impacts such cuts would have on health professions education and the future health care workforce in the United States. This is particularly concerning as shortages of qualified health care providers, including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health professionals, persist nationwide. We urge the Senate to ensure that any final bill does not harm the ability of students working towards health professions degrees to pursue their education and ultimately provide high-quality health care to patients throughout the nation.