On November 1, 2007, the Department of  Education issued the final rule on Federal Loan Programs that keeps the 20/220 pathway intact for medical student loan deferments.  The current 20/220 pathway to economic hardship deferment remains in place, until a negotiated rule-making process can occur which will not be completed until fall of 2008.  The AMA has lobbied the Department of Education to make this decision as well as spurring on Congressional offices to press the Administration to continue the old policy during  a transition period.

 Fourth year medical students and current residents will continue to be eligible for hardship deferment under the 20/220 pathway over the next year, and it also allows time over the coming year to pursue long-term legislative solutions to this problem.

 The AMA will continue to work with the House Education and Labor and Senate HELP Committee staff to request that Congress enact additional student loan relief measures as part of the Higher Education Reauthorization Act.

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