Rep. Carter Proposes $200,000 Loan Forgiveness for Mental Health Workers in Underserved Areas
This bill is currently sitting in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce where it was sent on March 3, 2026. No action has been taken on the bill since it was introduced four months ago. The House committee must review the bill before it can move forward, but it is not showing any signs of progress.
This bill’s path across every version that has carried it.
Reintroduced
Reintroduced from H.R. 3760 (118th), which died when its Congress ended.
H.R. 3760 (118th) →Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Students at minority-serving institutions studying mental or behavioral health would gain a new incentive to enter the field, with the promise of loan deferment while in training and full forgiveness after service. This could make mental health careers more financially viable for students who might otherwise avoid them due to education costs.
“has been accepted for enrollment, or is 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”
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
A bipartisan group of Congressional representatives introduced a bill aimed at alleviating the behavioral health workforce shortage through a student loan repayment program. The legislation proposes that qualified mental health providers could have up to $200,000 of debt repaid after 5 years.
Lawmakers introduced the Mental Health Workforce Act to address shortages and expand diversity. The bill includes student loan forgiveness for individuals who attend HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions in exchange for a five-year service commitment in shortage areas.
The Mental Health Workforce Act aims to increase the number of providers and expand the pipeline of diverse professionals. It includes student loan forgiveness for graduates of Minority Serving Institutions who serve in federally designated shortage areas for five years.
No votes or related bills recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
To amend title VII of the Public Health Service Act to strengthen the mental health workforce, and for other purposes.
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.