Rogers Introduces Resolution Opposing U.S. Department of Education’s Move to Remove Professional Designation From Health Care Degrees

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 12, 2025 — State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), a licensed physical therapist and longtime advocate for Michigan’s health care workforce, introduced House Resolution 226 this week urging the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to reject proposed changes to federal student loan regulations that would strip many advanced health care degrees of their “professional” designation.

The ED’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education’s (RISE) draft rule would make students in numerous clinical and behavioral health programs ineligible for the level of financial support historically available to them. Affected fields include advanced practice nursing, physical and occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, social work, physician assistant programs and other licensed professions.

“Michigan depends on competent, well-trained health care professionals, and we should not adopt changes that limit access to the degrees that make that possible,” Rogers said. “These programs provide rigorous professional training and have long been recognized as such. Preserving that designation ensures students can continue to access the financial aid they need to pursue these critical careers. Their education and licensure prepare them for complex, high-responsibility work, and our policies should continue to honor that reality.”

Rogers warned that the rule would make it harder and more expensive for students to enter high-demand careers, worsening provider shortages across Michigan’s hospitals, clinics, schools and long-term care facilities.

“We cannot afford policies that make it harder for students to pursue careers our communities urgently need,” Rogers continued. “Protecting access to these programs is essential to maintaining a strong, reliable health care workforce across Michigan.”

HR 226 urges the ED to amend the proposed rule and maintain the long-standing professional designation for these degrees to protect students’ access to essential financial aid.

“The RISE Committee’s proposed definition of a ‘professional degree’ does not reflect the reality of today’s healthcare,” said Aaron McCormick, President of the Michigan Nurses Association. “Excluding dozens of health professions from full loan eligibility would undermine the education pipeline and further strain access to essential services across Michigan. We support this resolution and call on the Department of Education to adopt an accurate definition that recognizes all licensed health professions requiring post-baccalaureate training.”

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