WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

PR 26-0778

Health Professional Loan Repayment Amendment Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Phil Mendelson

Expands HPRLP to include certified addiction counselors and lets DC Health flexibly adjust allocations and repayment amounts to address funding gaps.

Retained by the Council with comments from the Committee on Health
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · PR 26-0778

Overview

Bill PR 26-0778, the Health Professional Loan Repayment Amendment Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026, is proposed by the Mayor and sponsored by Chairman Phil Mendelson. It designates an emergency to amend the District of Columbia Health Professional Recruitment Program Act of 2005 to expand eligibility and adjust loan-repayment mechanics under the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPRLP). The measures are intended to preserve program viability given funding gaps and enable responsive administration ahead of the next contract renewal window.

Main purpose and intent

  • Add certified addiction counselors to the list of eligible health professionals for participation in the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program.
  • Provide the Department of Health (DC Health) with authority to modify allocation procedures and total loan repayment amounts based on available funding.
  • Remove rigid, mandatory loan repayment requirements to allow flexible, fiscally responsible administration of the HPRLP within funding limits.
  • Ensure DC Health can meet contractual obligations to current providers and recruit new participants without incurring unfunded obligations.

Key provisions and changes

  • Eligibility expansion: Certified addiction counselors would be added to the definition of eligible “other health professionals” under the HPRLP.
  • Funding and flexibility: DC Health would have authority to adjust allocation procedures and total loan repayment amounts in response to funding availability.
  • Emergency and administrative authority: The resolution declares an emergency to enable immediate modification of repayment schedules and avoid shortfalls prior to the upcoming contract renewal window (June 27, 2026).
  • Funding gap context (background in the resolution):
    • The 2005 Act requires minimum loan repayment amounts that exceed federal grant reimbursements to the District.
    • Local funds previously covered the shortfall but the Non-Lapsing Fund is depleted (balance $0 as of FY24).
    • Supplementary payments of up to $26,000 per participant per year above the federal rate have no current funding source.
    • Contract renewal window opens June 27, 2026; continuing at current rates would create a projected FY27 shortfall of about $333,000 and larger shortfalls in following years.
    • A four-year funding obligation for each two-year contract restricts flexible reallocation of resources.

Who/what is affected

  • Health professionals currently or newly eligible for HPRLP (notably including certified addiction counselors).
  • DC Health, which administers the HPRLP and manages contracts with providers in medically underserved areas.
  • District residents in medically underserved or health professional shortage areas who rely on funded placements of providers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Emergency declaration: The resolution asserts an emergency to allow rapid amendment and implementation, taking effect immediately.
  • Contract renewal context: Actions are framed to occur before the June 27, 2026 renewal window to prevent unfunded obligations.
  • Implementation scope: If enacted, the act would modify statutory requirements and funding allocations within the available funding envelope, with DC Health empowered to adjust repayment schedules accordingly.

Potential impact

  • Expanded workforce capacity by including addiction counselors in HPRLP, potentially improving access to behavioral health services.
  • Increased flexibility for the Department of Health to manage the program amid funding constraints, reducing the risk of cuts to provider contracts serving underserved communities.
  • Short-term stabilization of the HPRLP funding gap prior to the next renewal cycle, avoiding larger reductions in health access programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.