WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

B 26-0755

Health Professional Loan Repayment Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

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

Expands loan repayment eligibility to certified addiction counselors and adjusts caps and scheduling for DC Health’s loan repayment program through flexible, CPI-adjusted rules.

Retained by the Council with comments from the Committee on Health
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · B 26-0755

Overview

Health Professional Loan Repayment Temporary Amendment Act of 2026 (B 26-0755) proposes a temporary modification to the District of Columbia Health Professional Recruitment Program Act of 2005. The primary goals are to expand eligibility to include certified addiction counselors, increase maximum loan repayment amounts, clarify that these amounts are not mandatory, and replace the statutory annual repayment schedule with a regulatory schedule. The act is set to expire 225 days after it takes effect.

Main purpose and intent

  • Add certified addiction counselors to the list of health professionals eligible to participate in the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP).
  • Increase the maximum loan repayment amounts for participants, with different caps depending on professional category and service arrangements.
  • Ensure DC Health can meet contractual obligations for existing providers and recruit new participants within available funding.
  • Replace the statutory annual repayment schedule with a regulatory schedule to give the Mayor, through DC Health, flexibility to adjust annual repayment amounts and allocation procedures based on funding and need.
  • Promote continued recruitment and retention of health professionals, particularly in District of Columbia Health Professional Shortage Areas or medically underserved areas.

Key provisions and changes

  • Eligibility:
    • Adds certified addiction counselors to the eligible pool (alongside physician assistants, physicians, dentists, and other health professionals) for the HPLRP.
  • Debt repayment caps (for full-time participants under Section 9):
    • Physicians and dentists: up to 100% of total debt, not to exceed $165,000, for up to 4 years of service. Annual repayment amounts set by contract.
    • Physicians with certain specialties/sub-specialties (e.g., obstetrics/gynecology, psychiatry, oncology, cardiology, neurology, infectious diseases, pulmonology, nephrology, endocrinology, podiatry, ophthalmology, etc.) or who practice in Ward 7 or 8: up to 100% of total debt, not to exceed $200,000, for up to 4 years. Annual amounts by contract.
    • Other health professionals (non-physician/dentist): up to 100% of total debt, not to exceed $90,000, for up to 4 years. Annual amounts by contract.
  • Part-time participants:
    • Physicians and dentists: up to 100% of total debt, not to exceed $82,000, for up to 4 years. Annual amounts by contract.
    • Physicians with certain specialties/sub-specialties or working in Ward 7 or 8 (part-time): up to 100% of total debt, not to exceed $100,000, for up to 4 years. Annual amounts by contract.
    • Other health professionals (part-time): up to 100% of total debt, not to exceed $45,000, for up to 4 years. Annual amounts by contract.
  • New subsection (g):
    • Mayor may annually increase the maximum total repayment amounts by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
    • The Mayor will set by rule the maximum percentage (not to exceed 30% of total debt) and maximum dollar amount (not to exceed 30% of the applicable maximum total loan repayment amount) that may be repaid annually.
  • Administrative flexibility:
    • The Director of DC Health gains authority to modify allocation procedures and total loan repayment amounts based on available funding.

Who/what is affected

  • Eligible participants in the HPLRP, expanding to include certified addiction counselors.
  • Full-time and part-time health professionals in the program, with varying caps based on professional category and service location (notably Ward 7 and 8 for certain specialties).
  • DC Health and its ability to administer and adjust the program through regulations and contractual terms.
  • Recipients in Health Professional Shortage Areas or medically underserved areas, benefiting from enhanced loan repayment support.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: After Mayoral approval, a 30-day Congressional review, and publication in the DC Register.
  • Sunset: The act expires 225 days after taking effect, making it a temporary amendment.
  • Regulatory framework: The act contemplates future rules to establish annual repayment percentages and update caps via CPI adjustments.

Fiscal impact

  • The bill references the CFO’s fiscal impact statement; specifics are to be provided in that analysis. The changes are designed to align funding with available resources while expanding eligibility and flexibility.

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

Sign in to ask a question.