Lawmaking

Advocacy win: Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act passes House

Grassroots AOA campaign led to over 3,000 emails to lawmakers in support of the bill.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 5102, the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2018, which would create a loan repayment program for SUD treatment providers.

The AOA helped shape the bill, supported its introduction, was involved in direct lobbying, and created a grassroots action campaign, which resulted in over 3,000 emails that encouraged lawmakers to support the bill.

Specifically, the bill will offer student loan repayment of up to $250,000 for participants who agree to work as a SUD treatment professional in areas most in need of their services. These include:

-A mental health professional shortage area; or
-A county where the drug overdose death rate is higher than the national average.

The bill now moves on to the Senate for debate.

One comment

  1. Gavin Nixon

    To whom it may concern,

    I am a PGY-1 in physical medicine and rehabilitation who plans on going into pain medicine. Is there any additional information on the SUD loan repayment bill on whose loans would be forgiven? Would it only be federal student loans or would the billl include private? Any additional information would be appreciated.

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