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Mental Health Workforce Shortage Act: Doubling Loan Repayment Funds and Access.

This Act expands the student loan repayment program to include a wider range of mental health professionals, not just substance use disorder specialists. The goal is to increase access to mental and behavioral healthcare in areas facing severe shortages and in regions with high drug overdose death rates. Crucially, the bill doubles the annual funding for this program to $50 million, providing more financial relief for professionals choosing to work in these high-need areas.
Key points
The student loan repayment program is expanded to cover health service psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists who commit to working in mental health professional shortage areas.
The required service commitment is up to 6 years of full-time employment in areas of greatest need or facilities with shortages, or an annual commitment to substance use disorder treatment in shortage areas or counties with high overdose death rates.
Annual funding for the program is doubled from $25 million to $50 million for fiscal years 2023 through 2032, significantly increasing the availability of financial aid.
Eligible loans now include those used for obtaining master's, doctoral, or post-doctoral degrees in mental health or related fields from accredited institutions.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_462
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Process start date: 2023-02-16
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Summarized by: gemini-flash-latest
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_462.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-02-16.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • The student loan repayment program is expanded to cover health service psychologists, clinical social workers, counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists who commit to working in mental health professional shortage areas.
  • The required service commitment is up to 6 years of full-time employment in areas of greatest need or facilities with shortages, or an annual commitment to substance use disorder treatment in shortage areas or counties with high overdose death rates.
  • Annual funding for the program is doubled from $25 million to $50 million for fiscal years 2023 through 2032, significantly increasing the availability of financial aid.
  • Eligible loans now include those used for obtaining master's, doctoral, or post-doctoral degrees in mental health or related fields from accredited institutions.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

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