The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has called on the Department of Education to withdraw a proposed rule that would impose constraints on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, worsening the physician workforce shortage and hindering patients’ access to essential care.

An AAFP News story details the Academy’s response to the proposed rule. In particular, the Academy objected to provisions that would:

• Hinder the growth of a diverse clinician workforce
• Undermine patient autonomy and shared medical decision-making by imposing nonclinical or rigid diagnostic standards
• Interfere with the physician-patient relationship
• Criminalize medical care.

Ahead of the Academy’s detailed response to the proposed rule, AAFP President Jen Brull, MD, FAAFP, told members in a blog post, “Many of us know firsthand that loan forgiveness programs such as the PSLF are a professional lifeline that also improves lives in our communities. We know that physicians who have the freedom to practice where they choose are very likely to stay where they’re already doing good.”