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National Alliance: DOE Proposed Rule Would Exacerbate Hospice Workforce Shortages

The U.S. Department of Education has proposed reclassifying post‑baccalaureate nursing degrees as graduate degrees, slashing the borrowing cap for health‑care students from $200,000 to $100,000 and imposing a $20,500 annual aid limit. The rule also narrows the definition of "professional degree," excluding nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant, occupational therapy and social work programs. The National Alliance for Care at Home argues the changes will deepen existing hospice and home‑care workforce shortages, especially as demand for advanced practice nurses is projected to rise 35% by 2034. Over 140 members of Congress have publicly opposed the proposal.