Does the government debt deal eliminating subsidized loans for grad students have an impact on current subsidized loans in repayment? 

In other words, if I become unemployed or go back to school, do I still have the benefit of the unemployment deferment on my subsidized federal loans?  These loans were taken out 10+ years ago.

The elimination of the interest subsidy for graduate and professional students in for loans that are disbursed on or after July 1, 2012.  It won’t affect loans you already have or get before then.  Also, the debt ceiling deal didn’t make any change to available deferments so you’re OK there.  Read more about the deal here: http://askheatherjarvis.com/blog/what-the-debt-ceiling-deal-means-for-your-student-loans