President Donald Trump recently pardoned Joseph Schwartz, the operator of a multi-state nursing home chain who was convicted of a $38 million employment tax fraud scheme. Despite being sentenced to 36 months in prison and ordered to pay fines and restitution, Schwartz will now be freed after serving only three months. Schwartz’s actions involved running several Arkansas nursing homes into the ground, resulting in poor care for vulnerable residents and state takeovers of two homes. This pardon has drawn criticism, particularly from Arkansas officials like Attorney General Tim Griffin, who previously condemned Schwartz’s exploitation of Arkansans and Medicaid fraud.
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Under the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” nursing has been removed from the definition of a “professional” degree, and the Grad PLUS loan program is slated for elimination. This means that students pursuing post-baccalaureate nursing degrees will face new borrowing limits. These changes have caused significant concern within the nursing community. Several organizations, including the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, have expressed their opposition and worry about the impact on the existing nursing shortage. Despite this outrage, the Department of Education has refuted claims of the changes by calling the reporting “fake news”.
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The Department of Education, under the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” has excluded nursing from the definition of a “professional degree,” which could limit student nurses’ access to crucial funding. This decision, eliminating Grad PLUS loans and capping borrowing amounts for graduate students, has raised alarm among nursing organizations, who claim it will harm patient care. Despite concerns over the impact on an already strained nursing workforce, the Education Department dismissed criticisms, citing a consistent definition of professional degrees. This exclusion also affects other fields, while programs like theology are still deemed “professional,” raising questions about the criteria.
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Under President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the Department of Education is implementing changes to student loan reimbursement, with the “Repayment Assistance Plan” (RAP) replacing previous programs. A key factor in determining reimbursement is whether a degree is considered “professional,” leading to concern as several degrees, including nursing, are excluded from the list. This reclassification could significantly impact students pursuing these degrees, as they may receive less financial aid, potentially deterring them from entering high-demand professions and possibly exacerbating workforce shortages. Various stakeholders are criticizing the exclusion of these professions, arguing it contradicts the traditional understanding of “professional” and could have detrimental effects on public health and other critical sectors.
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The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s testimony to Congress regarding COVID-19 nursing home deaths. This follows a House panel referral alleging Cuomo lied under oath about his involvement in a state report on the issue. The investigation comes after the DOJ dropped charges against mayoral rival Eric Adams, prompting accusations of political bias. Cuomo’s spokesperson denies any wrongdoing and claims the investigation is politically motivated.
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John Q. Hosedrinker