AMTA Government Relations Update 11-25-25
November 25, 2025 06:14 PM
AMTA Joins Coalition Partners in Communications to the Department of Education RISE Committee
AMTA has been collaborating with our coalition partners and communicating with the Department of Education over the past few months, including these two coalition sign-on letters:
Combined, these letters were signed by over 35 associations, commissions, and councils for various health professions. The letters provided recommendations to the Department of Education’s (ED) Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee as it continued to work to implement the student financial aid provisions of Pubic Law 119-21, commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), specifically the definition of ”professional degree programs.”
The letters urged the ED to adopt a clear and consistent standard for defining “professional degrees” in the health professions sector. Statements included the fact that when Congress passed OBBBA, its clear intent was to establish a broad and inclusive definition of “Professional degrees,” ensuring the full spectrum of accredited health professions preparing students for professional practice is represented. Congress recognizes that health professions are inherently interconnected and that the strength of our health system depends upon a collaborative workforce. Fragmenting repayment eligibility by narrowly defining “professional degree” would undermine this interprofessional foundation.
Unfortunately, the ED has chosen the path of a narrow definition for a “professional degree,” which will
- deepen the health workforce shortage by fragmenting financial aid eligibility and establishing caps for professional and “non-professional” degrees,
- exacerbate existing shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities, and
- limit access to education for students seeking to serve in critical health roles.
ED is required and expected to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in January. This initiates a 30-day public comment period. Public input will be critical. Following the comment period, ED may publish a final rule as written, revise the definition, or make updates and issue a new proposed rule for public comment.
AMTA will continue to provide updates on this issue, clarification of its impact on the music therapy profession, and guidance for responding to the public comment period.
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