Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 6672
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 6672Health
Mental Health Professionals Workforce Shortage Loan Repayment Act of 2025
INTRO DEC 11· LAST ACTION DEC 11
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
6BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because many areas in the United States face a severe shortage of mental health professionals, making it challenging for people to access vital mental health services. This scarcity contributes to longer wait times, increased stress on existing providers, and poorer mental health outcomes for individuals and communities, especially in rural or low-income regions. The ongoing mental health crisis highlights the urgent need for more accessible care.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide a significant financial incentive, up to $250,000, for mental health professionals to work in these underserved areas by helping them pay off their student loans. This could lead to a measurable increase in the availability of mental health services across the country, directly addressing a critical healthcare gap. If the bill does not pass, these shortage areas will likely continue to struggle to attract and keep mental health providers, leaving many Americans without adequate access to care.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Establishes a new federal loan repayment program specifically for mental health professionals.
This creates a dedicated program to address mental health workforce shortages, providing a specific financial incentive for these professionals.
PROVISION 02
Requires participating professionals to complete a service period of up to six years in a designated 'mental health professional shortage area'.
This provision directly targets the geographic imbalance of mental health providers by incentivizing service where it's most needed.
PROVISION 03
Authorizes loan repayments of up to $250,000 per individual over the full service period.
This substantial amount can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education for mental health professionals, making the program attractive.
PROVISION 04
Defines eligible loans to include specific federal direct loans and other federal loans used for education in mental health or related fields.
Clearly specifies which types of student debt can be covered, ensuring the program focuses on educational loans relevant to mental health careers.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2035 to fund the program.
This provides a concrete funding commitment for the program, indicating its long-term intent and potential scale.
This bill matters because many areas in the United States face a severe shortage of mental health professionals, making it challenging for people to access vital mental health services. This scarcity contributes to longer wait times, increased stress on existing providers, and poorer mental health outcomes for individuals and communities, especially in rural or low-income regions. The ongoing mental health crisis highlights the urgent need for more accessible care.
If this bill becomes law, it would provide a significant financial incentive, up to $250,000, for mental health professionals to work in these underserved areas by helping them pay off their student loans. This could lead to a measurable increase in the availability of mental health services across the country, directly addressing a critical healthcare gap. If the bill does not pass, these shortage areas will likely continue to struggle to attract and keep mental health providers, leaving many Americans without adequate access to care.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a new federal loan repayment program specifically for mental health professionals.
This creates a dedicated program to address mental health workforce shortages, providing a specific financial incentive for these professionals.
high
Requires participating professionals to complete a service period of up to six years in a designated 'mental health professional shortage area'.
This provision directly targets the geographic imbalance of mental health providers by incentivizing service where it's most needed.
med
Authorizes loan repayments of up to $250,000 per individual over the full service period.
This substantial amount can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education for mental health professionals, making the program attractive.
med
Defines eligible loans to include specific federal direct loans and other federal loans used for education in mental health or related fields.
Clearly specifies which types of student debt can be covered, ensuring the program focuses on educational loans relevant to mental health careers.
high
Authorizes $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2035 to fund the program.
This provides a concrete funding commitment for the program, indicating its long-term intent and potential scale.
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment, and every other year thereafter.
The Secretary shall prepare and submit a report to Congress on the program's impact, including the number and location of qualified borrowers and its effect on mental health service availability.
A liquidated damages formula to be established by the Secretary.
Individuals who breach their agreement to complete a period of service, though failure to complete the full period in good faith for years service was rendered does not alone constitute a breach.
GLOSSARY
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Public Health Service Act
A major law in the United States that governs many public health programs and services, including those related to health professions, medical research, and disease control.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that aims to improve access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable.
Mental Health Professional Shortage Area
A geographic area, facility, or specific population group that has been officially identified by the federal government as having too few mental health professionals to adequately serve its residents.
Eligible loan
Student loans that meet the specific criteria outlined in the bill to qualify for repayment, primarily certain federal direct loans and other federal loans used for mental health education or related fields.
Liquidated damages
A predetermined amount of money specified in a contract that one party agrees to pay to the other if they fail to uphold their end of the agreement.
Obligated service
A period of time an individual is required to work in a specific location or for a particular program as a condition of receiving a benefit, such as student loan repayment.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
DEC 11, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
DEC 11, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
A legislative act that permits money to be spent on a program but does not actually provide the money. Congress must pass a separate appropriation bill to allocate the funds.
