Iowa Bill Would Repay Student Loan Debt to Attract Mental Health Providers

[TexasTowelie]

Mental health providers willing to practice in Iowa could have part of their student loans paid off.

Senate Study Bill 3003 is an attempt to expand mental health care in rural Iowa. The bill would create a program for mental health professionals who agree to practice in an Iowa city that is within a mental health shortage area as defined by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

This definition includes most of Iowa except the Polk County area, the area around Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and the area around Mills, Pottawattamie, and Scott counties.

To qualify, a professional must go into full-time practice for five years, or part-time practice for seven. The bill would cover about $8,000 worth of student loan debt each year and top out at $40,000.

Read more: https://iowastartingline.com/2022/01/26/iowa-bill-would-repay-student-loan-debt-to-attract-mental-health-providers/

[Phoenix61]

1. That's a wonderful idea but opening a private

practice is expensive. I’m not sure $8,000/yr is going to make that much of a difference. Not to mention insurance providers have very different ideas about what”lack of providers” looks like. If the state was serious about providing mental health care they’d open clinics in those areas.

[cbabe]

2. Deprogram Magats?