Health Workers at Risk: Why a New Policy Could Hurt Us All

A new policy is making waves, and not in a good way. The Department of Education is proposing to redefine what counts as a "professional degree. " This change could have big consequences for health workers and the people they serve. The policy would reclassify degrees in nursing, public health, social work, and other essential fields as "non-professional. " This might not sound like a big deal, but it is. These degrees are crucial for keeping our health system running. Without them, we could face serious shortages of workers in these fields. The policy would also make it harder for students to get federal loans for these degrees. This could mean fewer people entering these fields, especially from underrepresented communities. That's a problem because these communities often rely on these workers the most. The policy could also make it harder for health workers to do their jobs. Many of these workers are already facing burnout and shortages. This policy could make things even worse. The policy could also have a big impact on the health of Americans. We need these workers to keep our health system running. Without them, we could face delays in care, preventable crises, and more. Policymakers need to act now to protect these degrees and the workers they represent. They need to reinstate federal loan eligibility for these degrees and update the definition of a "professional degree" to reflect the realities of today's workforce. We are at a pivotal moment. We need to make sure that health workers are trained, accessible, and valued. Downgrading these degrees is not the way to do that. It's time to act.