Episode 8: HR1 Exposed Us: The Financial Crisis OT Should’ve Seen Coming

“OT Left Off the List: What HR1 Just Exposed About Our Profession” In this extended, no-filter episode of Outspoken OT, Michelle breaks down exactly what is happening with federal student loan reforms — and why the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1)” is a turning point for occupational therapy. This isn’t just a financial update. This is a profession-wide reality check. You’ll learn: 🔹 What HR1 actually changed Grad PLUS loans eliminated New borrowing caps for graduate vs. professional programs OT placed in the lower-funded “graduate” category 🔹 Why OT was left off the “professional degree” list and how that outdated 1998 list still governs modern healthcare funding. 🔹 What this means for OT students and future practitioners Reduced access to federal loans Higher reliance on private lenders Major threats to diversity, access, and the workforce pipeline 🔹 Why other professions (including nursing, PT, PA, SLP, education, architecture, and more) are also affected and how their advocacy is bringing national attention to this crisis. 🔹 How this connects to the last decade of professional decline Michelle draws a straight line to: shrinking reimbursement exploding prior auth requirements rising tuition AI auditing OT’s internal identity battle and years of silence that left us vulnerable 🔹 Why HR1 is the wake-up call OT cannot ignore This bill didn’t break OT — it revealed the cracks we’ve been avoiding. 🔹 Concrete actions you can take today From AOTA advocacy to school accountability to supporting students and redefining OT’s identity. ⭐ Who this episode is for: OT students worried about paying for school Educators, faculty, and program directors Clinicians watching the profession shift under their feet Anyone who cares about the survival, sustainability, and visibility of OT 🗣️ In Michelle’s words: “This is not just about loans. This is about who we are as a profession — and whether we’re finally ready to be loud.”