Workforce News 2026Feb12

Department of Education Publishes Proposed Rule on “Professional Degrees” 

On January 30, as expected, the Department of Education published a proposed rule intended to implement several higher‑education provisions from H.R.1, including new parameters for federal student loan programs. Of particular interest to LeadingAge members is the proposal to revise the definition of “professional degree,” which now plays a significant role in determining federal loan limits for advanced degree programs. H.R.1 established two tiers of loan caps: students enrolled in graduate programs may borrow up to $20,500 annually with a $100,000 lifetime limit, while students in programs classified as awarding a “professional degree” may access up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 total. Because this rule defines what constitutes a “professional degree,” it will directly affect which students qualify for the higher borrowing limits. LeadingAge is concerned that the proposed definition excludes several critical fields that underpin the aging‑services workforce, including nursing, physical and occupational therapy, physicians’ assistants, and social work. Members have also noted that rural communities are likely to feel the impact most acutely, as advanced practice clinicians often serve in roles typically filled by physicians in those settings. In addition, limiting borrowing capacity for graduate‑level degrees could impact the number of nurse educators, having a downstream effect on training programs and the broader pipeline. The proposed rule is open for public comment for 30 days, with comments due by March 2. LeadingAge will submit comments on behalf of the association, and we encourage state partners and members to continue to share any perspectives, examples, or concerns they would like us to incorporate into our response.

NURSE Visa Act Introduced to Address Severe Nursing Workforce Shortages

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) introduced the National Urgent Recruitment for Skilled Employees (NURSE) Visa Act, legislation aimed at easing nationwide nursing shortages by expanding access to work visas for internationally trained nurses. Beyer noted that ongoing staffing challenges across the health care system driven by retirements, lingering effects of the pandemic, and sustained demand for nursing professionals contribute to shortages that are fueling burnout and threatening access to timely, high-quality care. His bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make available 20,000 nonimmigrant visas per fiscal year for nurses employed in areas designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as experiencing a nursing workforce shortage. Eligibility would be tied not only to the shortage designation but also to facility-level requirements, including having a provider-to-patient staffing ratio policy in place. Rep. Beyer previously introduced the legislation in 2024. For LeadingAge members, the Nurse Visa Act is notable as a legislative proposal focused on expanding legal immigration pathways specifically to address nursing shortages. LeadingAge supports the bill and will work with Rep. Beyer to seek bipartisan backing for this legislation.

Update on Haiti TPS: Government Appeals Court Ruling

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) introduced the National Urgent Recruitment for Skilled Employees (NURSE) Visa Act, legislation aimed at easing nationwide nursing shortages by expanding access to work visas for internationally trained nurses. Beyer noted that ongoing staffing challenges across the health care system driven by retirements, lingering effects of the pandemic, and sustained demand for nursing professionals contribute to shortages that are fueling burnout and threatening access to timely, high-quality care. His bill would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make available 20,000 nonimmigrant visas per fiscal year for nurses employed in areas designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as experiencing a nursing workforce shortage. Eligibility would be tied not only to the shortage designation but also to facility-level requirements, including having a provider-to-patient staffing ratio policy in place. Rep. Beyer previously introduced the legislation in 2024. For LeadingAge members, the Nurse Visa Act is notable as a legislative proposal focused on expanding legal immigration pathways specifically to address nursing shortages. LeadingAge supports the bill and will work with Rep. Beyer to seek bipartisan backing for this legislation.

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