Advocacy

CMSA’s public policy initiative serves to represent member interests on issues affecting care management professionals and their patients' wellbeing. The CMSA Public Policy Committee has determined the following legislative focus for the coming years. If you have a public policy issue for consideration, please contact cmsa@cmsa.org.

Stand Up for Future Case Managers: The Department of Education's Proposed Changes to Federal Student Loans

The Department of Education’s proposed ruling would sharply limit which graduate degrees qualify as “professional” for enhanced federal loan eligibility. Most health and behavioral health professions central to case management — including nursing, social work, counseling, OT, PT, respiratory therapy, speech-language pathology, and public health — would lose access to critical loan programs, making advanced education far less attainable. This shift risks shrinking the talent pipeline, worsening workforce shortages, reducing diversity, and weakening the collaborative model that drives quality case management. 

A formal comment period will open in January 2026, and this will be the key moment for our community to respond. CMSA urges members to prepare to submit comments, contact their elected officials, and support petitions led by partner organizations. These coordinated efforts are essential to protecting the future of professional case management and the patients we serve. 

CMSA Legislative Priorities