Position: Support

Summary: This bill does several things to improve access to behavioral health care providers:

1. Gives the State Board of Health the ability to better calculate what areas of the state are facing provider shortages;
2. Opens up the potential for loan forgiveness for all mental and behavioral health care providers;
3. Creates a scholarship program for mental and behavioral health providers who are practicing in areas facing provider shortages;
4. Creates an advisory council to help administer loan forgiveness and scholarships.

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