Behavioral Health Providers Eligible for Loan Repayment

HHS recently announced that it will give $100 million to the State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), within the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), to help remedy the nation’s health care workforce shortage. The funding is derived from the American Rescue Plan and is a five-fold increase compared to previous years, representing a renewed investment in primary care. Specifically, the NHSC provides loan repayments and financial assistance to providers who commit to working in provider shortage areas. States can apply for the grants until April 2022, and HHS estimates that it will distribute up to 50 awards, reaching up to $1 million per year over four years. Mental health professionals and substance use disorder counselors both qualify as eligible disciplines within the SLRP.