The American Dental Association expressed its concerns to Congress over a proposed tax bill, according to a May 7 news release from the organization.
Here are seven things for dentists to know:
- The proposal looks to decrease the cost of higher education and reduce the federal budget deficit.
- The ADA said that the cuts to student aid programs in the bill are too broad and would have a negative impact on dentistry.
- Grad PLUS loans would be eliminated and Parent PLUS loans would be restricted under the proposal.
- More than three-quarters of dental students use Grad PLUS loans.
- The ADA is also concerned about a provision that excludes dental and medical students who have commercial loans from participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
- The ADA objected to a measure that requires institutions to reimburse the secretary for a percentage of the nonrepayment balance associated with certain loans.
- One provision that the organization did support would pause interest accrual for dental residents.
