To amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to strengthen the mental health workforce, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7787
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-27T16:48:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, H.R. 7787, aims to address shortages in the mental health workforce by creating incentives for qualified professionals to serve in underserved areas. It does this through a loan deferment and forgiveness program, encouraging more individuals—particularly from minority-serving institutions—to enter and remain in mental health fields, including substance use treatment.
Key Provisions
- Program Establishment: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must create a "mental health provider loan deferment and forgiveness program." Eligible participants agree to work full-time for at least 5 years as a qualified mental health provider, starting from when they are first licensed.
- Service must occur either as a solo provider in a mental health professional shortage area (designated under existing law, section 332 of the Public Health Service Act) or at an institution serving patients in such areas.
- Loan Benefits:
- During the service period, participants can defer principal payments on eligible loans, but interest continues to accrue and must be paid.
- After completing 5 consecutive years of service (and not being in default on the loan), the government repays up to 100% or $200,000 (whichever is less) of the outstanding principal and interest through the loan holder.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Eligible Individuals: Those accepted or enrolled in a mental or behavioral health program at a minority-serving institution (eligible for funding under section 371 of the Higher Education Act of 1965), or completing supervised clinical training for such a program. They must also accept qualifying employment upon graduation.
- Eligible Loans: Includes federal student loans for mental/behavioral health education (e.g., Federal Direct Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, Perkins Loans) and other federal loans deemed appropriate by the Secretary.
- Qualified Mental Health Providers: Defined as professionals delivering mental, behavioral, or substance use services, such as psychiatrists, health service psychologists, psychiatric nurse specialists, marriage and family therapists, physician assistants or nurse practitioners specializing in mental health, clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, or mental health counselors (with definitions drawn from the Social Security Act).
- Administration: HHS enters into contracts with participants to enforce agreements and handle repayments.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new section (SEC. 742) to Part B of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293 et seq.), which previously focused on health professions education but did not include this specific loan forgiveness program for mental health providers.
- Introduces targeted incentives for minority-serving institutions and shortage-area service, expanding beyond general health workforce programs by capping forgiveness at $200,000 and requiring full-time commitment in designated underserved areas.
- Builds on existing shortage designations (under section 332) but ties loan relief directly to mental health roles, including substance use treatment, which was not previously emphasized in this way.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HHS will administer the program, incurring costs for loan repayments (potentially up to $200,000 per participant) and contract management. This could strain budgets but help fulfill broader public health goals, such as improving access to care in rural or low-income areas.
- On Citizens: Increases availability of mental health services in shortage areas, benefiting underserved populations (e.g., rural communities, low-income groups) by attracting more providers. It may reduce financial barriers for students from minority backgrounds entering these fields, promoting diversity in healthcare.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic workforce development.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Mental Health Professionals: Especially students and trainees from minority-serving institutions, who gain financial relief but must commit to 5 years in shortage areas.
- Patients and Communities: Residents in mental health shortage areas, who could see improved access to services like therapy, psychiatry, and substance use treatment.
- Educational Institutions: Minority-serving schools benefit from program eligibility, potentially increasing enrollment in mental health programs.
- Government and Lenders: HHS oversees implementation; federal loan holders (e.g., banks or servicers) process repayments.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on existing frameworks like Social Security Act definitions for provider roles and Higher Education Act funding for institutions, ensuring consistency. The program's contract-based structure allows enforceability (e.g., clawbacks for non-completion), but could face challenges if shortage designations are disputed.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; it promotes equal access to education and healthcare under the general welfare clause, with a focus on equity for minorities that aligns with anti-discrimination principles.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support (introduced by members from both parties) and addresses national priorities like the mental health crisis post-COVID-19 and opioid epidemic. It could influence future workforce incentives but may spark debates on federal spending for loan forgiveness amid broader student debt discussions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-03-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to strengthen the mental health workforce, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-03-04 — PDF (6 pages)