‘We are professionals’: Coalition of Public Service and Health Care Unions Sue to Block New Department of Education Student Loan Rule That Will Hurt Patient Care and Worsen Staffing Crises

August 12, 2026 - 01:43

WASHINGTON - A coalition of unions representing hundreds of thousands of public service and health care workers filed a lawsuit this week challenging the Department of Education's new RISE rule. The groups argue the regulation will make it harder for nurses, teachers, and other essential employees to access loan forgiveness, pushing more of them out of their fields.

The lawsuit, brought by the Coalition of Public Service and Health Care Unions, claims the rule undermines the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Under the new requirements, workers must meet stricter repayment benchmarks and face more complex paperwork. Union leaders say this will hit hospitals and schools the hardest, where staffing crises are already severe.

"We are professionals who chose these jobs to serve our communities, not to be trapped by debt," said one union spokesperson. "This rule punishes the very people we rely on for patient care and education."

The unions are asking a federal court to block the rule before it takes effect. They say it will worsen shortages by driving experienced workers to higher-paying private sector jobs. The Department of Education has not yet responded to the filing.