South Dakota Joins PA Compact in Third RHTP-driven Win for PAs

South Dakota is now the 23rd state to enter the PA Licensure Compact, following the signing of (H.B. 1146). This win comes on the heels of the state’s pledge to enter the PA Licensure Compact as part of its application for Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funds. 

March 10, 2026

AAPA Files Formal Comments Opposing Proposed Federal Student Loan Rule

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) has filed formal public comments with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) opposing its proposal to exclude PA programs from higher federal “professional” student loan limits and urging the Department to align the final rule with the statute by classifying PAs under the professional loan tier. 

February 26, 2026

AAPA Comments to Education Department: Student Loan Exceeds Statutory Authority, Redefines H.R. 1’s “Professional Degree”

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), representing approximately the nation’s 190,000 physician associates/physician assistants (PAs), formally submitted public comments to the U.S. Department of Education opposing its proposed federal student loan rule under the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) framework.

February 26, 2026

What’s at Stake: Fighting for PA Access to Student Loans

Since the announcement of the Department of Education’s proposed cap on federal student loans, AAPA has received nearly 2,000 of stories from PAs, PA students, and pre-PAs describing how essential federal loans are to affording PA education and how the Department’s proposed rule would disrupt the PA workforce pipeline. This article is the second in a special AAPA News Central series, “What’s at Stake: Fighting for PA Access to Student Loans.”

February 20, 2026

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