(TRENTON) – Aiming to show appreciation for the doctors, nurses and emergency medical services personnel working to combat COVID-19, the full Assembly voted 80-0 on Thursday to approve a measure (AR-155) to urge the President and Congress to establish a student loan forgiveness program for these vital health care workers.
The measure’s sponsor, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) released the following statement:
“Doctors, nurses and EMS workers are the backbone of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each day, they risk their own health and safety so that they may help others recover. ‘Selfless’ doesn’t begin to describe their heroic efforts.
“The federal government already has a loan forgiveness program in place for doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers and others working in public service. In these deeply uncertain times, we should extend the same opportunity for all doctors, nurses and first responders on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the least we can do to show our appreciation and gratitude for their hard work.”
The measure is also sponsored by Assembly members Christopher DePhillips (R-Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic) and Serena DiMaso (R-Monmouth). It now goes to the Senate for further consideration.