Dear Medical Students,
Given our continued commitment to find solutions to help our medical students, resident physicians, and young physicians to better manage their high student loan debt burden, on June 23, 2009, the AMA advocated support for Sen. Richard Burr's amendment to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee's health care reform bill, “Affordable Health Choices Act,” which would restore the debt-to-income pathway (20/220 pathway).
The 20/220 pathway is the economic hardship loan deferment program that many medical residents have relied upon during their initial years of residency, which is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2009. On June 24, Sen. Burr's amendment passed by voice vote with the support of Acting Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT), a long time supporter of alleviating medical student debt. This is significant because without Senator Dodd's support, this amendment would not have passed. The reinstatement of the 20/220 pathway loan deferment program is now part of the “Affordable Health Choices Act" that is making its way through Congress. While this bill is unlikely to become law in its current form, we will continue to advocate that any final health care reform bill include significant debt relief provisions, including 20/220 pathway.
Read the letter to Sen. Richard Burr.
Sincerely,
Hans Arora, Chair
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