Tuition Will Be Free for All N.Y.U. Medical School Students

[fleur-de-lisa]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/nyregion/nyu-free-tuition-medical-school.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes

The New York University School of Medicine announced on Thursday that it would cover the tuition of all its students, regardless of merit or need, citing concerns about the “overwhelming financial debt” facing graduates.

N.Y.U.’s initiative comes at a time when affordability has become an increasingly urgent issue in higher education, with some graduates struggling with thousands of dollars in debt.

To date, much of the effort has centered on helping undergraduates cover the balance of their tuition bills, including at community colleges in Tennessee, and two- and four-year schools in New York under the new Excelsior Scholarship.

In the field of medicine, schools have become worried that students saddled with steep debt are increasingly pursuing top-paying specialties rather than careers in family medicine, pediatrics and research. So it was big news in December when Columbia announced a $250 million gift from Dr. P. Roy Vagelos, an alumnus who is a former chairman of Merck & Co., and his wife, Diana, that would offer students with the greatest financial need full-tuition scholarships, and other students grants, rather than loans.

[Aristus]

1. This is an excellent first step in reducing the costs of medical care.

I think there ought to be a government program, as well. I think the return on value to the tax payer would far outweigh the cost.

[Hoyt]

2. This is great. While I hope more schools do the same, it may actually hurt rural areas.

Today, new docs can forgo much -- if not all -- of their medical school debt by serving in medically underserved areas, rural and inner city. I've known several who went to rural areas, met the requirements and moved away immediately

I hope this does not hurt that program, or something new is developed to incentivize docs to go to underserved areas. On the other hand, maybe it will make it easier for some docs to go to rural areas where their income under today's health system might not support paying back large loans easily.

In any event, Kudos.

[Sophia4]

3. Great news!

[Yavin4]

4. In an advanced nation, putting a price tag on education should be abhorrent. n/t

[ismnotwasm]

5. Nurse Practitioners are poised to step into the provider hole

Nursing was preparing because there is a provider shortage, over-specialization and the ACA was opening up avenues for the uninsured.

Nursing is still preparing. In all the arguments about how to provide universal health care—which, of course, should be a common goal, the lack of health care providers was rarely addressed, at the same time education requirements are more stringent, and the costs absolutely prohibitive.

This is excellent news and a great start

[mopinko]

6. it's obscene that they work them to death and they pay for the privilege.

my son got a phd in math on a full boat because he ta'd.
i know they get paid as interns/residents and all, but still. it is ridiculous how much it costs to be a doc.
or a nurse for that matter.

and an aside- military experience is not credited toward college. my nephew was an army medic, and to get into nursing school, he had to start over at the bottom. and pay for that, of course.
you cant even work as an emt based on military experience. but they still tell recruits about the job skills they get.

[Blue_true]

7. The military medic to nurse or EMT is a function of how civilian life works.

I think that being a medic in the military should give a person a leg up into the two careers that you mentioned. The problem that you mentioned about the medic to civilian medical professional transition is certainly an issue that everyone should take up with their congressperson.

[mopinko]

8. my brother has made it a crusade.

he had a cali state senator that had a bill, and he got recalled!
it is pretty well know in congress afaik.