FFFM | What federal student loan borrowers need to know

In this episode of Fighting for Family Medicine, David Tully, AAFP vice president of government relations, reviews June advocacy efforts, including the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit, where more than 300 physicians advocated for policies to improve access to care.

He also highlights AAFP positions on H-1B physician policy, Medicaid work requirements, ACA marketplace changes, rural training and hospital payments, and reducing prior authorization burdens.

Tully then discusses student loan changes from the U.S. Department of Education under H.R.1 with members of the AAFP government relations team, Meagan Mortimer and Mandi Neff, outlining new repayment rules, elimination of programs and borrowing caps,.

Topics by Timestamp

00:00 Student Loan Changes Ahead

01:02 June Advocacy Wins

02:17 Policy Updates Roundup

05:26 DOE Loan Overhaul Explained

06:19 AAFP Pushback on HR1

08:42 Borrowing Caps Timeline

10:28 Exceptions and Legacy Plans

11:48 Mitigation and Advocacy Strategy

15:58 How Members Can Help

18:26 Closing and Disclaimers

Additional Resources

• Blog: Policymakers have a roadmap to ease medical student debt

• Advocacy topic: Medical student debt relief

• Managing student loan debt

• Loan repayment strategies for medical students and residents

• Letter to the Department of Education to Protect Medical Training Pathways

• AAFP on X: "Every patient deserves access to a family physician. The AAFP is encouraged by a federal court's decision to halt the proposed $100,000 H-1B application fee. We urge Congress to pass the bipartisan H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act, which would codify this https://t.co/mDqeYPpi8L" / X

• AAFP on X: "The AAFP is deeply concerned that Medicaid work reporting requirements will result in massive coverage losses for beneficiaries. When patients can access Medicaid, communities are healthier. https://t.co/ZvAx2In0Nm https://t.co/7fd9LjIAiC" / X

• Speak Out: Support the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026

• Letter in Resposne to IPPS Rule

• Speak Out: Chronic Care Management Improvement Act

• Speak Out: Support H-1B Physicians

• Primary Care Innovation Network

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