Loan plan in Republican bill could worsen doctor shortage, experts warn

Proposal to limit student loans for professional programs' risks driving people away from medicine, critics say

Doctors' associations, medical schools and student advocates warn that a proposal in the Republican-led budget bill being considered by Congress restricts graduate federal student loans and could worsen a national shortage of doctors.

The new Republican proposal would limit federal student loans for professional programs" - such as medical school - to $150,000, eliminate a federal graduate loan program and put limits on loan forgiveness.