BHSU President Visits Washington to Advocate for Federal Student Aid

Baptist Health Sciences University (BHSU) President T. Hampton Hopkins recently traveled to Washington, D.C., alongside members of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA). TICUA works to foster cooperation among private institutions across Tennessee, guaranteeing that their collective voice influences state and federal policies that impact higher education.

The purpose of the trip was to thank Tennessee legislators for their continued support of federal student aid programs and serve as an opportunity for university representatives to advocate for their institutions and independent higher education. Federal student aid makes it possible for students from all backgrounds to attend college and find their best-fit institution, including private, mission-focused schools like BHSU.

Hopkins emphasized that federal student loans are a critical access tool for millions of Americans. During their visit, participants met with legislators to encourage a balanced approach to student loan reform and to involve colleges and universities in discussions to create a fair balance of responsibilities among students, institutions and taxpayers.

"Congress is focused on ensuring that college students are prepared for the workforce," Hopkins stated. "At Baptist University, we are a vital talent pipeline for the health care workforce of Baptist Memorial Health Care (BMHC) and beyond."

During his visit, Hopkins advocated for several pieces of legislation, including:

• Rebuild America’s Health Care Schools Act of 2024 (S.5397/H.R.10225): This bill seeks to protect patients’ access to highly trained nursing and allied health professionals by requiring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to clarify requirements health systems must meet to obtain Medicare funding for training programs.
• Fair Access in Residency (FAIR) Act (H.R.751): This legislation ensures that Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine graduates (DOs) have equal access to Medicare-funded graduate medical education programs.
• Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (TEAMS) Act (H.R.7258): This bill creates a grant program to fund community-based training in rural and medically underserved communities.

"As a mission-focused institution (BHSU), we serve a specific purpose in higher education," said Hopkins. "Ensuring that our congressional delegation is aware of our mission and purpose will strengthen their understanding of the many types of institutions in higher education. Likewise, students continuing to have access to federal aid is critical to ensure access, particularly at BHSU."

Memorable Moments in Washington

Hopkins shared his excitement about the experience of visiting Washington, D.C. "It’s always exciting to be in the nation’s capital and to experience the energy of the city," he said. "Walking the halls of Congress and visiting congressional offices is fun. The most exciting thing is being able to meet with your congressman or senator in person and begin to build a relationship. Sitting in the office with Congressman Cohen and Congressman Kustoff and discussing with them the issues impacting independent higher education and Baptist University was a memorable moment.”

How to Get Involved

Advocacy for higher education is important, and everyone has a role to play. Faculty, staff and students can be advocates for independent higher education and BHSU in several ways:

1. Vote: Participate in selecting state and federal leaders by exercising your right to vote.
2. Engage in public discourse: Raise awareness about the value of independent institutions and the specific challenges they face.
3. Build strong partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, businesses and community leaders to highlight the role of independent higher education in economic and cultural development.

By fostering these relationships, they help ensure that independent institutions, such as BHSU, remain valued by surrounding communities.