US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 295h

Loan repayment program for substance use disorder treatment workforce

(a)

In general

The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall carry out a program under which—
(1)
the Secretary enters into agreements with individuals to make payments in accordance with subsection (b) on the principal of and interest on any eligible loan; and
(2)
the individuals each agree to the requirements of service in substance use disorder treatment employment, as described in subsection (d).
(b)

Payments

For each year of obligated service by an individual pursuant to an agreement under subsection (a), the Secretary shall make a payment to such individual as follows:
(1)

Service in a shortage area

The Secretary shall pay—
(A)
for each year of obligated service by an individual pursuant to an agreement under subsection (a), ⅙ of the principal of and interest on each eligible loan of the individual which is outstanding on the date the individual began service pursuant to the agreement; and
(B)
for completion of the sixth and final year of such service, the remainder of such principal and interest.
(2)

Maximum amount

The total amount of payments under this section to any individual shall not exceed $250,000.

(c)

Eligible loans

The loans eligible for repayment under this section are each of the following:
(1)
Any loan for education or training for a substance use disorder treatment employment.
(2)
Any loan under part E of subchapter VI (relating to nursing student loans).
(3)
20 U.S.C. 1087e 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 []).
(4)
1
1 So in original. Probably should be “part E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965”.
Any Federal Perkins Loan under part E of title I  of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
(5)
Any other Federal loan as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(d)

Requirements of service

Any individual receiving payments under this program as required by an agreement under subsection (a) shall agree to an annual commitment to full-time employment, with no more than 1 year passing between any 2 years of covered employment, in substance use disorder treatment employment in the United States in—
(1)
section 254e of this title a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area, as designated under ; or
(2)
a county (or a municipality, if not contained within any county) where the mean drug overdose death rate per 100,000 people over the past 3 years for which official data is available from the State, is higher than the most recent available national average overdose death rate per 100,000 people, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(e)

Ineligibility for double benefits

No borrower may, for the same service, receive a reduction of loan obligations or a loan repayment under both—
(1)
this section; and
(2)
l20 U.S.C. 1078–10 any Federally supported loan forgiveness program, including under section 254–1, 254q–1, or 297n of this title, or section 428J, 428L, 455(m), or 460 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 [, 1078–12, 1087e(m), 1087j].
(f)

Breach

(1)

Liquidated damages formula

The Secretary may establish a liquidated damages formula to be used in the event of a breach of an agreement entered into under subsection (a).

(2)

Limitation

The failure by an individual to complete the full period of service obligated pursuant to such an agreement, taken alone, shall not constitute a breach of the agreement, so long as the individual completed in good faith the years of service for which payments were made to the individual under this section.

(g)

Additional criteria

The Secretary—
(1)
may establish such criteria and rules to carry out this section as the Secretary determines are needed and in addition to the criteria and rules specified in this section; and
(2)
shall give notice to the committees specified in subsection (h) of any criteria and rules so established.
(h)

Report to Congress

Not later than 5 years after , and every other year thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on—
(1)
the number and location of borrowers who have qualified for loan repayments under this section; and
(2)
the impact of this section on the availability of substance use disorder treatment employees nationally and in shortage areas and counties described in subsection (d).
(i)

Definition

In this section:
(1)
section 5304 of title 25 The terms “Indian tribe” and “tribal organization” have the meanings given those terms in .
(2)
The term “municipality” means a city, town, or other public body created by or pursuant to State law, or an Indian tribe.
(3)
The term “substance use disorder treatment employment” means full-time employment (including a fellowship)—
(A)
where the primary intent and function of the position is the direct treatment or recovery support of patients with or in recovery from a substance use disorder, including master’s level social workers, psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychiatric mental health practitioners, occupational therapists, psychology doctoral interns, and behavioral health paraprofessionals and physicians, physician assistants, and nurses, who are licensed or certified in accordance with applicable State and Federal laws; and
(B)
which is located at a substance use disorder treatment program, private physician practice, hospital or health system-affiliated inpatient treatment center or outpatient clinic (including an academic medical center-affiliated treatment program), correctional facility or program, youth detention center or program, inpatient psychiatric facility, crisis stabilization unit, community health center, community mental health or other specialty community behavioral health center, recovery center, school, community-based organization, telehealth platform, migrant health center, health program or facility operated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization, Federal medical facility, or any other facility as determined appropriate for purposes of this section by the Secretary.
(j)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

July 1, 1944, ch. 373Pub. L. 115–271, title VII, § 7071(2)132 Stat. 4028Pub. L. 119–44, title II, § 204139 Stat. 680(, title VII, § 781, as added , , ; amended , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 89–32979 Stat. 1219section 1 of Pub. L. 89–329section 1001 of Title 20The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (c)(4), is , , . Part E of title IV of the Act, which relates to Federal Perkins Loans, is classified to part E (§ 1087aa et seq.) of subchapter IV of chapter 28 of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see , set out as a Short Title note under and Tables.

Prior Provisions

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 791Pub. L. 94–484, title VII, § 701(a)90 Stat. 2303Pub. L. 96–88, title III, § 301(a)(1)93 Stat. 677Pub. L. 97–35, title XXVII, § 2746(b)(1)95 Stat. 927Pub. L. 97–414, § 8(k)(2)96 Stat. 2061Pub. L. 99–129, title I, § 11199 Stat. 524Pub. L. 100–607, title VI, § 618102 Stat. 3140Pub. L. 100–690, title II, § 2615(f)102 Stat. 4239Pub. L. 101–93, § 5(j)103 Stat. 613Pub. L. 102–408A prior section 295h, , as added , , ; amended , , title V, § 507, , 692; , , ; , , ; , , title II, § 219, , 543; , , ; , , ; , , , related to grants for graduate programs in health administration, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 791Pub. L. 89–751, § 280 Stat. 1222Pub. L. 90–490, title III, § 301(a)(1)82 Stat. 788Pub. L. 91–519, title II, § 20184 Stat. 1344Pub. L. 94–484Another prior section 295h, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , , provided for grants for construction of teaching facilities of allied health professions personnel, prior to the general amendment of this part by .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 792Pub. L. 94–484, title VII, § 701(a)90 Stat. 2304Pub. L. 95–626, title I, § 12192 Stat. 3570Pub. L. 96–76, title II, § 206(b)93 Stat. 583Pub. L. 97–35, title XXVII, § 2746(c)95 Stat. 927A prior section 295h–1, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , , related to special projects for accredited schools of public health and graduate programs in health administration, prior to repeal by , , .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 792Pub. L. 89–751, § 280 Stat. 1226Pub. L. 90–490, title III, § 301(a)(2)82 Stat. 788Pub. L. 91–519, title II, § 202(a)84 Stat. 1344Pub. L. 93–45, title I, § 109(a)87 Stat. 93Pub. L. 94–484, title I, § 101(s)(1)90 Stat. 2246Pub. L. 94–484Another prior section 295h–1, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , (b), , 1345; , , (b), ; , , (2), , provided for grants to improve quality of training centers for allied health professions, prior to the general amendment of this part by .

Pub. L. 102–408Prior sections 295h–1a to 295h–2 were omitted in the general amendment of this subchapter by .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 791APub. L. 94–484, title IV, § 408(a)90 Stat. 2280Pub. L. 95–83, title III, § 307(f)91 Stat. 391Pub. L. 96–88, title III, § 301(a)(1)93 Stat. 677Pub. L. 97–35, title XXVII, § 2746(b)(2)95 Stat. 927Pub. L. 97–414, § 8(k)(1)96 Stat. 2061Pub. L. 99–129, title I, § 11299 Stat. 525Pub. L. 100–607, title VI, § 619102 Stat. 3140Section 295h–1a, , formerly § 749, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , title V, § 507, , 692; renumbered § 791A and amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , , , related to traineeships for students in other graduate programs.

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 792Pub. L. 94–484, title IV, § 408(a)90 Stat. 2279Pub. L. 95–83, title III, § 307(f)91 Stat. 391Pub. L. 95–215, § 391 Stat. 1504Pub. L. 96–76, title II, § 206(a)93 Stat. 583Pub. L. 97–35, title XXVII, § 2746(d)95 Stat. 927Pub. L. 99–129, title I, § 11399 Stat. 525Pub. L. 100–607, title VI, § 621102 Stat. 3141Section 295h–1b, ; formerly § 748, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 792 and amended , , ; , , ; , , , related to traineeships for students in schools of public health.

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 793Pub. L. 97–35, title XXVII, § 2746(f)95 Stat. 928Pub. L. 99–129, title I, § 11499 Stat. 525Pub. L. 100–607, title VI, § 629(b)(2)102 Stat. 3146Section 295h–1c, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , , related to training in preventive medicine.

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 794Pub. L. 94–484, title VII, § 701(a)90 Stat. 2305Pub. L. 95–623, § 12(g)92 Stat. 3457Pub. L. 97–35, title XXVII, § 2746(f)95 Stat. 928Section 295h–2, , formerly § 793, as added , , ; amended S. Res. No. 4, ; , , ; S. Res. No. 30, ; H. Res. No. 549, ; renumbered § 794, , , , related to statistics and annual report to Congress.

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 793Pub. L. 89–751, § 280 Stat. 1228Pub. L. 90–490, title III, § 301(a)(3)82 Stat. 788Pub. L. 91–519, title II, § 20384 Stat. 1436Pub. L. 93–45, title I, § 109(c)87 Stat. 93Pub. L. 94–484, title I, § 101(s)(3)90 Stat. 2246Pub. L. 94–484Another prior section 295h–2, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , , , provided traineeships for advanced training of allied health professions personnel, including authorization of appropriations, prior to the general amendment of this part by .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 794Pub. L. 89–751, § 280 Stat. 1228Pub. L. 90–490, title III, § 301(a)(4)82 Stat. 788Pub. L. 91–519, title II, § 202(d)84 Stat. 1345A prior section 295h–3, , as added , , ; amended , , (b), , authorized appropriations for grants to public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations for projects to develop, demonstrate, or evaluate curriculums and methods for the training of health technologists, prior to repeal by , , , effective with respect to the fiscal year beginning .

Pub. L. 94–484Prior sections 295h–3a to 295h–3d were omitted in the general amendment of this part by .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 794APub. L. 91–519, title II, § 20484 Stat. 1346Pub. L. 93–45, title I, § 109(d)87 Stat. 93Pub. L. 94–484, title I, § 101(s)(4)90 Stat. 2246Section 295h–3a, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , , provided for grants and contracts to encourage full utilization of educational talent for allied health professions and authorizing appropriations.

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 794BPub. L. 91–519, title II, § 20484 Stat. 1346Section 295h–3b, , as added , , , provided for scholarship grants for training in allied health professions.

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 794CPub. L. 91–519, title II, § 20484 Stat. 1347Section 295h–3c, , as added , , , provided for work-study programs in training in allied health professions.

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 794DPub. L. 91–519, title II, § 20484 Stat. 1349Pub. L. 92–157, title III, § 301(e)85 Stat. 464Section 295h–3d, , as added , , ; amended , , , provided for loans for students of allied health professions.

Pub. L. 102–408Prior sections 295h–4 to 295h–7 were omitted in the general amendment of this subchapter by .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 795Pub. L. 94–484, title VII, § 701(a)90 Stat. 2306Pub. L. 96–88, title III, § 301(a)(1)93 Stat. 677section 295p of this titleSection 295h–4, , as added , , ; amended , , title V, § 507, , 692, defined “allied health personnel”, “training center for allied health professions”, and “nonprofit”. See .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 795Pub. L. 89–751, § 280 Stat. 1228Pub. L. 90–174, § 12(e)81 Stat. 542Pub. L. 91–519, title II, § 202(c)84 Stat. 1344Pub. L. 92–157, title III, § 301(f)85 Stat. 464Pub. L. 94–484Another prior section 295h–4, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , , defined “training center for allied health professions”; “full-time student”; “nonprofit”; “construction” and “cost of construction”; and “affiliated hospital”, prior to the general amendment of this part by .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 796Pub. L. 94–484, title VII, § 701(a)90 Stat. 2307Pub. L. 95–83, title III, § 307l91 Stat. 392Pub. L. 100–607, title VI, § 624102 Stat. 3143Pub. L. 100–690, title II, § 2615(f) [(h)]102 Stat. 4240section 294e of this titleSection 295h–5, , as added , , ; amended , (), (m), ; , , ; , , , related to project grants and contracts with eligible entities to improve the effectiveness of allied health administration and practitioners. See .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 796Pub. L. 89–751, § 280 Stat. 1230Pub. L. 94–484Another prior section 295h–5, , as added , , , provided for keeping of records and audits in relation to training in allied health professions, prior to the general amendment of this part by .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 797Pub. L. 94–484, title VII, § 701(a)90 Stat. 2308Pub. L. 100–607, title VI, § 625102 Stat. 3144Section 295h–6, , as added , , ; amended , , , related to traineeships for advanced training of allied health personnel.

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 797Pub. L. 90–490, title III, § 301(c)82 Stat. 788Pub. L. 91–296, title IV, § 401(b)(1)(E)84 Stat. 352Another prior section 295h–6, , as added , , , authorized the use of up to one-half of one per centum of appropriated funds for evaluation of programs covered thereby, prior to repeal by , , , effective with respect to appropriations for fiscal years beginning after .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 798Pub. L. 94–484, title VII, § 701(a)90 Stat. 2309Section 295h–7, , as added , , , related to educational assistance to disadvantaged individuals in allied health training.

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 798Pub. L. 90–490, title III, § 301(d)82 Stat. 788Pub. L. 91–519, title II, § 20584 Stat. 1354Pub. L. 94–484Another prior section 295h–7, , as added , , ; amended , , , directed Secretary to conduct a study of the allied health programs, prior to the general amendment of this part by .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 799Pub. L. 91–519, title II, § 20684 Stat. 1354Pub. L. 92–157, title I, § 10985 Stat. 461Pub. L. 94–484section 292c of this titleA prior section 295h–8, , as added , , ; amended , , , which related to advance funding, was renumbered section 703 of act , by and transferred to .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 799APub. L. 91–519, title II, § 20784 Stat. 1355Pub. L. 92–157, title I, § 110(2)85 Stat. 461Pub. L. 93–348, title I, § 10588 Stat. 347Pub. L. 94–484section 292d of this titleA prior section 295h–9, , as added , , , § 704; amended , , ; , , , which related to sexual discrimination, was renumbered section 704 of act , by and transferred to .

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 799Pub. L. 99–272, title XVII, § 17001100 Stat. 357Pub. L. 100–527, § 10(4)102 Stat. 2641Pub. L. 100–607, title VI102 Stat. 3145Pub. L. 101–93, § 5o103 Stat. 614Pub. L. 102–405, title III, § 302(e)(1)106 Stat. 1985Pub. L. 102–408oA prior section 295i, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , §§ 627, 629(b)(1), , 3146; , ()(3), ; , , , established a Council on Graduate Medical Education, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by . See section 294 of this title.

Amendments

Pub. L. 119–442025—Subsec. (j). substituted “$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030” for “$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023”.