Student Loan Limits a Barrier to Growing Providers

Harrisburg, PA (November 25, 2025) — The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders (PONL) today released a joint statement on federal policy changes related to graduate student loans and classification of “professional” degrees:

"Nurses are critical to Pennsylvanians’ health, providing high-quality and compassionate care, being a strong voice for patients, and improving the health of our communities. They deserve respect and recognition as skilled and highly trained professionals.

"Federal policy changes limiting student loan amounts for graduate nursing degrees—as well as for other advanced practice providers, including physician assistants—will make it harder to educate and train the health care professionals needed to care for Pennsylvania communities. These professionals are critical to ensuring access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas, and are in high demand statewide. Certified registered nurse anesthetists are among the most-needed providers statewide, with hospitals reporting an average vacancy rate of 30 percent. Clinical nurse specialists, physician assistants, and certified registered nurse practitioners are also in high demand with average vacancy rates of 22 percent, 16 percent, and 14 percent, respectively.

"There is a critical need to grow our health care workforce, especially as our commonwealth ages and requires more care. Ensuring access to education and training programs—including through student loans—is foundational to developing the next generation of providers."