Portland, Ore. - The Oregon Nurses Association applauds Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield for joining the lawsuit challenging a U.S. Department of Education rule that restricts access to federal student loans for healthcare workers pursuing professional degree programs.  

ONA members have been clear: this harmful rule from the Trump administration would create significant barriers for frontline healthcare workers—including nurses, physician associates, therapists, and others—seeking advanced education and training, especially those from lower-income households and historically underrepresented communities. It would discourage many from advancing their education and force others to rely on higher-interest, higher-risk private loans. 

For generations, healthcare professions—particularly nursing—have provided a pathway to economic opportunity for women, working families, and immigrants. Policies that push students toward costly private loans disproportionately harm these communities and risk putting advanced education out of reach for many aspiring healthcare workers. Frontline caregivers should not be priced out of continuing their education and serving their communities. 

Oregon and the nation continue to face serious healthcare workforce shortages. Cutting access to affordable federal student loans for frontline healthcare workers is reckless, short-sighted, and dangerous for patients and communities. 

This is yet another example of the Trump administration squeezing working-class families and undermining our healthcare system at a time when workers need relief, communities need real investment in healthcare, and Oregon desperately needs more frontline caregivers. 

ONA is grateful to Attorney General Rayfield for standing up for healthcare workers and patients by challenging this unfair and inequitable rule. 

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 25,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

# # #