News in brief Leading physician groups: Department of Education’s PSLF rule will hurt patients and physicians Rule jeopardizes both patients’ access to care and physicians’ financial stability and autonomy, statement notes. Oct. 31, 2025FridayNovember 2025 issue The DO Staff Contact The DO Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics educationstudent loans The statement below is issued by the American Osteopathic Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians and the American Psychiatric Association, who represent over 600,000 physicians: Our organizations are deeply concerned by the U.S. Department of Education’s final rule undermining the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, a vital pathway that has enabled thousands of physicians to serve rural and underserved communities. Loan forgiveness is a powerful tool to attract and retain physicians in public service, rural healthcare settings and nonprofit roles, particularly in primary care and psychiatry, where workforce shortages are most severe. By restricting PSLF program eligibility for physicians employed under contracts with hospitals and health systems, this rule jeopardizes both patients’ access to care and physicians’ financial stability and autonomy. PSLF is not just a loan program; it is a lifeline that allows medical graduates to choose primary care or psychiatry careers in high-need areas without being weighed down by insurmountable debt. We strongly urge the Department of Education to preserve physicians’ access to the PSLF program and recognize that a healthy America depends on a strong physician workforce. More in Patient Care Sports medicine: Keeping child athletes safe Alex Diamond, DO, MPH, shares actionable steps sports medicine physicians can take to reduce injury and promote healthy habits in youth athletes. When working with angry patients, seek to understand the fear behind their anger, AOA President advises Psychiatrist and AOA President Robert Piccinini, DO, D.FACN, shares tips on relating to upset patients in a new video. Previous articleThe NASA engineer who went to osteopathic medical school at age 58 Next articleA summary of the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
Sports medicine: Keeping child athletes safe Alex Diamond, DO, MPH, shares actionable steps sports medicine physicians can take to reduce injury and promote healthy habits in youth athletes.
When working with angry patients, seek to understand the fear behind their anger, AOA President advises Psychiatrist and AOA President Robert Piccinini, DO, D.FACN, shares tips on relating to upset patients in a new video.