To amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a loan repayment program for mental health professionals to relieve workforce shortages, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMs. Salinas (for herself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Ciscomani, and Ms. …
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill creates a new federal loan repayment program for mental health professionals who agree to work in areas where there is a shortage of mental health providers. The program aims to address the mental health workforce crisis by offering financial incentives to attract qualified professionals to underserved communities.
Who Benefits and How
Mental health professionals with student loans (psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, counselors, and others) can receive up to $250,000 in loan repayment over 6 years of service. Healthcare facilities in shortage areas benefit by having an easier time recruiting mental health staff. Patients in underserved rural and urban areas gain improved access to mental health care that was previously unavailable.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Federal taxpayers will fund the program at $25 million per year for 10 years (2026-2035), totaling $250 million. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must administer the program, including entering agreements with participants, determining eligibility, and enforcing breach provisions. Congress receives biennial reports on program effectiveness.
Key Provisions
- Participants receive 1/6 of their eligible loan balance paid each year of service, with the remainder paid after completing the sixth year
- Maximum loan repayment capped at $250,000 per individual
- Eligible loans include federal student loans (Direct, PLUS, Perkins) and other federal loans for mental health education
- Participants cannot simultaneously receive benefits from other federal loan forgiveness programs (no "double-dipping")
- Service must be full-time employment in designated mental health professional shortage areas
- Program sunsets after fiscal year 2035 unless reauthorized
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Establishes a federal loan repayment program for mental health professionals who commit to working in mental health professional shortage areas for up to 6 years, with up to $250,000 in loan repayment.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Address the mental health workforce shortage by providing substantial loan repayment incentives to attract and retain mental health professionals in underserved areas"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Mental health professionals with student loan debt (psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, social workers, etc.)
- Patients in mental health professional shortage areas who will gain access to providers
- Healthcare facilities in shortage areas that will be able to recruit mental health staff
- Graduate programs in mental health fields (increased demand for degrees)
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal taxpayers ($25 million/year for 10 years = $250 million total authorization)
- Health Resources and Services Administration (administrative burden of running the program)
- Congress (oversight and reporting requirements)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Health and Human Services
- "the_administrator"
- → Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
A full-time job (including a fellowship) where the primary intent and function of the job is the direct treatment or recovery support of patients with or in recovery from a mental health disorder, such as a physician (MD or DO), psychiatric nurse, social worker, marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, occupational therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, child and adolescent psychiatrist, or neurologist.
An area designated under section 332 of the Public Health Service Act with respect to a shortage of mental health professionals; or any facility, program, center, or clinic as determined appropriate by the Secretary because of a shortage of mental health professionals, including private physician practices and other medical facilities designated under section 332(a).
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology