Ultimately, the nation must decide how much it values the next generation of healers. Will we make becoming a doctor an attainable goal for the bright student with humble origins and a passion for service? Or will we inadvertently make the white coat a privilege reserved mainly for the wealthy? The Big Beautiful Bill Act has sketched one vision of that future – a harsher, leaner vision. It will be up to future lawmakers, medical leaders, and society to shape a better one, whe