OOA Urges Against PSLF Rules Changes
OOA is one of 34 entities on the AOA sign-on letter
The Ohio Osteopathic Association joined the American Osteopathic Association on a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in urging reconsideration of proposed rule changes for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Proposed changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program could limit financial assistance to physicians. The changes are the result of the March Executive Order 14325 directing changes to "ensure the definition of 'public service' excludes organizations that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose". The EO lists several categories of activities that the administration believes should exclude organizations from PSLF eligibility if they engage in the activities. One such category is on aiding or abetting violations of 8 U.S.C. 1325 or other Federal immigration laws. Under EMTALA, all patients, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, have access to emergency medical treatment. With the exception of Arizona and Florida, physicians are not required to ask or disclose a patient's immigration status.
The PSLF program encourages individuals to work at non-profit organizations and across federal, state, local, and tribal governments in exchange for loan forgiveness after 10 years of public service and loan repayments. Because these positions often pay less than those in the for-profit sector, the PSLF was created to support individuals who choose to serve these communities, which has been especially critical for patients in underserved rural and urban areas to access medical care.
Physicians often choose rural and family medicine with the knowledge that the PSLF program will assist in offsetting their high education debt. If PSLF is threatened, physicians may be forced to turn to higher paying specialties or regions.
The 34 groups that signed onto the letter express concern that an unintended consequence of the policy is that legitimate non-profit organizations may inappropriately lose their status as a PSLF qualifying employer. Under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, physicians are responsible for screening and stabilizing all patients who present at emergency departments, regardless of citizenship, immigration status, sex, or ability to pay for care.
