SB 8, AN ACT SUPPORTING GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE STATE, which creates state funding for a loan program to help graduate students who are threatened with losing resources as a result of proposals currently before the Federal Department of Education, passed the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee unanimously this week.
APTA CT President Maryclaire Capetta, pictured, testified at the Committee’s February 17th public hearing along with a number of other provider organizations. APTA CT has been working hand in hand with the Connecticut Healthcare Professionals Coalition in opposition to the federal changes and, now, in support of this bill. Other organizations include the CT Nurses Association, Connecticut Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Society, Connecticut Academy of Physician Associates, Connecticut Chiropractic Physicians Association, Connecticut Occupational Therapy Association, Connecticut Speech and Hearing Association, Connecticut Academy of Audiology, Connecticut Athletic Trainers’ Association, Connecticut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and others.
Maryclaire was quoted in the Hartford Courant on the bill. It was also heartening to see Governor Lamont’s statement include the following, “I’m particularly concerned that these new federal changes are going to make it even harder for students to seek graduate degrees in areas such as nursing, social work, and physical therapy, when we actually should be doing more to encourage people to enter these fields”
The bill will likely head to the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee in the coming weeks. Be on the lookout for an action alert from APTA CT if your state Representative or state Senator is on that committee.
In the meantime, the Federal Department of Education is accepting comments on their funding cuts until this coming Monday, March 2nd. Click here to submit comments.