More than a dozen Massachusetts doctors have defaulted on their student loans

(MyFoxBoston.com) -- Anyone with a student loan knows how painful it can be to pay back that debt each month. Some are choosing not to, stiffing the government in the process, and leaving taxpayers on the hook. 

Doctors, dentists, and chiropractors usually rack up more student loans compared to other college students, but the payoff is supposed to be big.
         
We first told you about a group of local doctors back in 2008 who blew off their financial responsibilities, and defaulted on their student loans from the federal government.
         
Seven years later Uncle Sam is still looking for money from deadbeat doctors.

Hundreds of doctors across the country default on their students loans from the federal government.
         
They're called health education assistance loans, and a number of people have defaulted, totaling more than $105 million in unpaid debt.

"Physicians are told to do no harm and in this case physicians are harming the taxpayers," said Tom Schatz, of Citizens Against Government Waste. "I think the public  should know when they go see a physician that some are practicing honestly have worked hard have paid back their loans and others have not."

In Massachusetts, 16 doctors all over the state have defaulted on their student loans and owe the federal government more than $2.6 million.
         
A face that may be familiar tops the list: It's someone who's no stranger to making news.

Dr. Robert Caulkins' medical license was revoked a decade ago after he showed up for surgery at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton smelling of alcohol.
         
Before that happened, he was sentenced to six months in jail after his third drunk driving conviction.
         
Now Dr. Caulkins owes more to the federal government for his unpaid students loans than any other doctor in the state: $459,000.
         
Number two on the list is Dr. Allen Lafleur of Hull who owes $360,162, followed by Dr. Richard Blase of Worcester, who owes $353,149.
         
Next up is Dr. Rosella Lent of Nahant who owes $208,698. Rounding out the top five is Dr. Karen Orazio of Acton, with $203,346 in unpaid loans. 
         
Dr. William Caldwell, one of the doctors on the list, told FOX 25 he started making payments after we showed up at his office. But now he owes even more money: $116,000.

His lawyer says payments are being made through a plan created after he filed for bankruptcy. 

FOX 25 reached out to all the doctors on the list. Dr. Caldwell is the only one who offered any explanation.

Cox Media Group