Iowa House Bill HF244

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/9/23
• Refer: 2/9/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to loan repayments made by the college student aid commission under the mental health professional loan repayment program and including applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 47.)

Impact

Significantly, the bill proposes to eliminate a requirement where professionals had to repay the loan amounts if they failed to fulfill their established practice obligations. Instead, it allows the college student aid commission to withhold future repayments if the obligations are not met, thereby easing the financial burden on those who may encounter situations that prevent them from completing their commitment. The annual loan repayment amount remains set at $8,000, maintaining the sum established under prior legislation. Additionally, for part-time practitioners, the repayment amount can be prorated based on their hours worked.

Summary

House File 244, also known as the mental health professional loan repayment bill, is an initiative aimed at enhancing the availability of mental health services in Iowa by providing financial incentives for mental health professionals. The bill amends the existing mental health professional loan repayment program, which encourages professionals to practice in underserved areas and support the expansion of mental health services. Under this program, mental health professionals can receive annual loan repayments in exchange for committing to work in designated eligible practice areas for specified periods: five years for full-time work and seven years for part-time work.

Contention

The introduction of HF244 could potentially spark discussions among stakeholders regarding the adequacy of the financial incentives in attracting and retaining mental health professionals in rural and underserved areas. Some lawmakers and advocacy groups may argue that while the bill is a step in the right direction, the loan repayment amount may still be inadequate compared to other financial incentives available in competing states or sectors. This raises concerns about whether additional measures might be necessary to fully address workforce shortages in mental health professions within Iowa.