The AAMC led members of the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions in an Aug. 5 letter to congressional leadership urging the inclusion of student loan forgiveness for health professionals in the upcoming COVID-19 supplemental package.
The AAMC previously endorsed bipartisan Senate and House legislation that would provide loan forgiveness for health providers who are taking on unexpected risks to treat COVID-19 patients and prevent future outbreaks [see Washington Highlights, June 26].
The coalition letter states, “With COVID-19 cases still on the rise, health professionals are risking their lives daily for the health of communities across the nation. Some have graduated early to enter the workforce. Others have traveled across the country to practice in COVID-19 hotspots. Health researchers and scientists are leading the charge to discover, test, and approve viable treatments and vaccines to combat COVID-19 and prevent future outbreaks.”
The letter comes after the AAMC Action network — a grassroots community of medical students, residents, researchers, faculty members, physicians, and others who advocate on behalf of academic medicine — sent nearly 33,000 letters to congressional members asking for loan forgiveness for health providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Washington Highlights