MI HR0226

Urges the U.S. Department of Education to reject the RISE Committee's proposed definition of "professional degree" related to federal student loan borrowing restrictions outlined in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"

The proposed definition excludes many allied health care programs including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, advanced practice nursing, social work, and physician assistant programs from professional degree classification

Recommends defining "professional degree" as any post-baccalaureate degree required to obtain credentials necessary for practice, using Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code 51 and related codes as the standard

Warns that the narrow definition would deepen existing health care workforce shortages, particularly impacting rural and underserved communities with limited access to providers

Directs copies of the resolution be sent to the U.S. Secretary of Education and members of Michigan's congressional delegation