363: [ADVOCACY] What the Department of Education Rule Means for PAs, Patients & the Future of Healthcare

A newly proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Education could significantly restrict access to federal student loans for Physician Associate (PA) students — threatening the future PA pipeline and patient access to care.In this rapid response episode, Tracy breaks down:What the Department of Education’s proposed rule actually saysHow changes to federal student loan eligibility could limit PA education accessWhy fewer PA students = fewer clinicians = longer wait times + more burnoutWhat the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) is doingHow YOU can take action in less than 10 minutesThis is advocacy in action. And it matters.The Plan:Read the proposed rule + AAPA’s statement: https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2026/01/aapa-statement-on-department-of-educations-proposed-rule-on-federal-student-loans/ AAPA Landing Page: https://www.aapa.org/advocacy-central/federal-student-loan-changes/ Submit a public comment before March 2, 2026: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/30/2026-01912/reimagining-and-improving-student-education Call your representatives (using the free 5 Calls.org) 5Calls.org Protecting PA education today protects patient care tomorrow.Keywords: Physician Associate advocacy, PA education pipeline, Department of Education rule 2026, federal student loans PA students, AAPA statement January 2026, healthcare workforce crisis, public comment federal register, clinician advocacy, protecting patient access, PA profession future