This bill would extend a program that helps healthcare providers pay off their student loans if they work for at least 6 years providing treatment or recovery services for people with substance use disorders. The goal is to increase access to these important services in areas with high rates of drug overdose deaths or mental health provider shortages.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill would extend a program that helps healthcare providers pay off their student loans if they work for at least 6 years providing treatment or recovery services for people with substance use disorders. The goal is to increase access to these important services in areas with high rates of drug overdose deaths or mental health provider shortages.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program Reauthorization Act of 2023</strong></p><p>This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program. Under the program, certain health care providers may receive up to $250,000 in repayment assistance for higher education loans if they provide treatment or recovery services for those with substance use disorders. Providers must work full-time for at least six years at an approved facility that is in a locality with a higher-than-average rate of drug overdose deaths or that is in a mental health professional shortage area. </p><!--tinycomments|2.1|data:application/json;base64,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-->
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Extends the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program through 2028
Allows healthcare providers to get up to $250,000 in student loan repayment assistance if they work full-time for 6+ years providing substance use disorder treatment or recovery services
Targets areas with high drug overdose rates or mental health provider shortages
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would help attract more healthcare providers to work in communities struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. By providing student loan relief, it could increase the availability of addiction treatment and recovery services in underserved areas, potentially improving outcomes for people with substance use disorders.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Health
Related Subjects
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health personnel
Higher education
Medical education
Student aid and college costs
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
4079, 119th Congress (2025). "Safer Response Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-4079
