Academy Endorses Congressional Review Act Resolution to Protect Student Access and Workforce Development: Call to Action

The American Academy of Audiology has formally endorsed the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to repeal the U.S. Department of Education’s recently finalized federal student loan rule before it is enacted as expected on July 1, 2026.

The department’s rule would eliminate the Grad PLUS loan program, establish annual and lifetime borrowing caps for graduate and professional students, and significantly restructure federal student loan repayment programs. The rule also narrows the definition of “professional” degree programs to only 11 designated fields—excluding several healthcare professions, including audiology.

The Academy is deeply concerned that these changes could create significant financial barriers for future audiologists and negatively affect patient access to hearing and balance healthcare services.

Audiologists are required to complete a clinical doctorate (AuD) before entering practice, a process that includes years of rigorous academic coursework, supervised clinical rotations, and direct patient care experiences. However, under the department’s finalized rule, audiology students may face federal borrowing limits that do not reflect the true cost of obtaining the education and clinical training necessary for licensure and practice.

The Academy believes the rule could:

• Reduce the number of students pursuing audiology
• Worsen existing workforce shortages
• Limit access to hearing and balance care, particularly in rural and underserved communities
• Undermine long-term patient access to essential healthcare services

At a time when demand for hearing healthcare continues to grow, the Academy believes policies that restrict educational access for future providers could have serious unintended consequences for patients and communities nationwide.

The CRA joint resolution introduced by Senator Merkley and Representative Bonamici would repeal the Department’s finalized rule before it takes effect. The Academy supports this effort as an important step toward preserving access to doctoral healthcare education and protecting the future healthcare workforce.

Call to Action

The Academy is urging all audiologists, students, educators, and advocates to contact their U.S. senators and representatives as soon as possible and ask them to support the CRA joint resolution.

Members are encouraged to share how the Department’s rule could affect educational access, workforce development, and patient care within their communities. Policymakers need to hear directly from constituents about the real-world impact these changes could have on the future of healthcare professions like audiology.

Protect the future of audiology. Protect access to care. Contact Congress today.