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

AAPA Applauds HHS Investment to Expand Addiction Treatment

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) announcement of a $100 million federal investment to expand addiction treatment, recovery, and homelessness services across the country.

February 4, 2026

New Survey Shows Proposed Federal Student Loan Cap Would Shrink the PA Workforce

As federal regulators consider changes to student loan policy, new national survey data released today by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) show that capping federal student loan borrowing for PA education would sharply reduce the number of future PAs and limit access to care, especially in rural and medical underserved areas.  

February 4, 2026

AAPA Statement on ED Decision to Place Restrictive Caps on PA Student Loans

American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Todd Pickard, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, FASCO, issued a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s negotiated rulemaking, where federal negotiators agreed to a definition of “professional program” that would exclude physician associates (PAs) from eligibility for higher federal student loan limits.

November 7, 2025

Topics