Bill to Assist New Dentists with Student Loan Debt Reintroduced
On June 24, Rep. Brian Babin, DDS (R-TX), reintroduced the bipartisan Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act (H.R.4122).
If enacted, the REDI Act would allow student loan borrowers to qualify for interest-free deferment on their student loans while serving in a medical or dental internship or residency program. Many dental residents opt for a deferment or forbearance of their loan payments during their residency and are faced with substantial interest accrual on their original dental education costs. Providing interest accrual relief significantly expands the number of practical career paths for a dentist post-residency.
Advocating for the passage of the REDI Act will be among the priorities AGD members will have the option of discussing during their Congressional meetings at AGD’s 2021 Virtual Hill Day Event.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD supports the REDI Act and its goal of curtailing the high costs associated with graduate-level dental education. Providing interest accrual relief during residency would make the concepts of opening practices in underserved areas or entering faculty or research more attractive and affordable. These developments are essential to improving the ability to provide increased access to dental care and increase the capacity for dental programs to train additional dentists.
If enacted, the REDI Act would allow student loan borrowers to qualify for interest-free deferment on their student loans while serving in a medical or dental internship or residency program. Many dental residents opt for a deferment or forbearance of their loan payments during their residency and are faced with substantial interest accrual on their original dental education costs. Providing interest accrual relief significantly expands the number of practical career paths for a dentist post-residency.
Advocating for the passage of the REDI Act will be among the priorities AGD members will have the option of discussing during their Congressional meetings at AGD’s 2021 Virtual Hill Day Event.
Impact on General Dentistry: AGD supports the REDI Act and its goal of curtailing the high costs associated with graduate-level dental education. Providing interest accrual relief during residency would make the concepts of opening practices in underserved areas or entering faculty or research more attractive and affordable. These developments are essential to improving the ability to provide increased access to dental care and increase the capacity for dental programs to train additional dentists.