NCCPA Joins Unified Effort to Protect PA Education Pipeline and Preserve Patient Access to Care
NCCPA is voicing strong concerns about the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed changes to the definition of “professional degree.”
The proposal could restrict PA students’ access to critical federal loan programs, creating barriers to entry into the PA profession, reducing the number of future PAs, and ultimately limiting patient access to care at a time when demand is rising.
Debt plays a significant role in shaping where new Board Certified PAs choose to practice. High educational debt, especially when tied to substantial high-interest loans, often pushes PAs toward higher-paying specialties and urban settings rather than rural or primary care positions, which traditionally offer lower salaries. This trend can negatively impact care delivery by exacerbating provider shortages in underserved areas and reducing access to family medicine services. As debt burdens increase, the financial pressure makes it less feasible for PAs to prioritize mission-driven roles over income-driven decisions, ultimately widening gaps in healthcare equity.
“Everything about who we are as PAs and the services that we provide to patients and other stakeholders emphasizes our role and responsibilities as medical professionals,” said NCCPA President and CEO Dawn Morton-Rias, Ed.D., PAC, ICE-CCP, FACHE.