To amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to strengthen the mental health workforce, and for other purposes.

To amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to strengthen the mental health workforce, and for other purposes. 1. Strengthening the mental health workforce (a) In general Part B of title VII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 293 et seq. 742. Strengthening the mental health workforce (a) In general (1) as a solo practitioner— (A) at least 30 percent of the patients of which are individuals receiving medical assistance under a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (or a waiver of such plan); and (B) at least 50 percent of the patients of which are members of a racial and ethnic minority group (as defined in section 1707); or (2) at an institution that accepts patients described in paragraph (1)(A) and at which at least 50 percent of the patients served by the institution are members of a racial and ethnic minority group (as defined in section 1707). (b) Program administration Through the program established under this section, the Secretary shall enter into contracts with eligible individuals under which— (1) such eligible individuals will agree to provide mental and behavioral health care services as described in subsection (a); (2) the Secretary agrees that periodic installments of the principal of an eligible loan need not be paid, but interest shall accrue and be paid, during any period during which the borrower is employed as described in subsection (a); and (3) the Secretary, through the holder of the loan, will assume the obligation to repay the lesser of 100 percent or $200,000 of the total amount of principal and interest of an eligible loan, that are outstanding as of the day immediately preceding the first day of the first year of service (as described in subsection (a)), for an eligible individual, who— (A) has been employed as described in subsection (a) for 5 consecutive years; and (B) is not in default on a loan for which the individual seeks forgiveness. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) The term eligible individual (A) (i) has been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a student in a minority-serving institution eligible to receive funding under section 371 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in a course of study or program leading to a mental or behavioral health professions degree or certificate; or (ii) is completing training hours under clinical supervision for purposes of obtaining such a degree or certificate; and (B) has accepted employment as described in subsection (a), to commence upon graduation. (2) The term eligible loan (A) any loan for education or training for mental and behavioral health care, including substance abuse prevention and treatment, employment; (B) any Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or Federal Direct Consolidation Loan (as such terms are used in section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965); (C) any Federal Perkins Loan under part E of title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965; and (D) any other Federal loan as determined appropriate by the Secretary. .

Summary: This bill establishes a student loan deferment and forgiveness program for physicians who provide mental and behavioral health services (including substance abuse prevention and treatment services) to racial and ethnic minority groups and low-income individuals. To carry out the program, the Department of Health and Human Services must pay the outstanding principal and interest (up to a maximum limit) on specified federal student loans for eligible physicians who work in qualifying employment. While participating in the program, physicians do not need to pay the principal of their loans but must pay any interest that accrues. To be eligible, physicians must complete a mental or behavioral health professions degree or certificate at a minority-serving institution of higher education. Physicians must also provide mental and behavioral health services for five consecutive years while working either (1) as solo practitioners where at least 30% of patients receive Medicaid and at least 50% of patients are members of racial and ethnic minority groups; or (2) at institutions that accept Medicaid and where at least 50% of patients served by the institution are members of racial and ethnic minority groups.