2025 House Resolution 226

Whereas, The United States Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee recently adopted a proposal aimed at federal student loan-related changes outlined in House Bill 1, named the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA). These proposals, if implemented, will negatively impact the health care workforce pipeline and reduce access to care; and

Whereas, The proposed definition from the RISE Committee for what constitutes a “professional degree” for the purposes of restrictions on federal student loan borrowing carries implications for both current and prospective students. It excludes those pursuing many allied health care degrees, including students of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, advanced practice nursing, social work, physician assistants, health educators, researchers, and dozens of other health professions; and

Whereas, Many post-baccalaureate health profession programs share key characteristics, which include accredited and rigorous education that lead to the credentials required for professional practice and public protection. These qualities, not the length of a program or the historical treatment of certain disciplines, should guide the Department of Education’s determination of what qualifies as a “professional degree”; and

Whereas, What constitutes a “professional degree” should be defined by the credentials required for entry into practice. Programs within Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code 51 and related codes all lead to professional credentials necessary for practice, while also providing a consistent and objective basis for defining professional degrees; and

Whereas, Excluding health profession programs within or related to CIP Code 51 would hinder workforce entry, deepen existing workforce shortages, and reduce students’ access to necessary financial support. Impacts would be felt the most in rural and underserved communities that already face significant challenges in accessing health care providers; and

Whereas, To maintain a strong and reliable health care workforce, the United States Department of Education should instead classify all health professions under CIP Code 51 and related codes as “professional degrees”; define “professional degree” as any post-baccalaureate degree required to obtain the credentials necessary for practice in that field; ensure that degree title, discipline, or program length do not limit eligibility; and acknowledge that restricting health programs would have serious consequences for communities with the greatest workforce shortages; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Department of Education to reject the recommended definition from the RISE Committee of what constitutes a professional degree and instead adopt a more accurate and consistent definition of “professional degree programs” to protect the nation’s health care workforce and the communities that it serves; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Secretary of the United States Department of Education and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.