# The HELP Act: A Loan Repayment Program for HIV Healthcare Workers

This bill creates a federal program that pays off student loans for doctors, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare professionals who commit to working with HIV patients in areas where they're needed most. The government would pay up to $250,000 in loan repayment for each healthcare worker who agrees to work full-time treating people with HIV for at least five years.

Here's how it works in practice: If you're a doctor or dentist with $200,000 in student loans and you agree to work at an HIV clinic in an underserved area for five years, the government would pay off one-fifth of your loans each year ($40,000), then pay off the remaining balance when you complete your fifth year. The program covers various types of federal student loans, including standard Stafford loans and nursing school loans. You could also work part-time if you get a waiver, though the repayment would be adjusted accordingly.

The catch is that you have to work in specific places: either in a health professional shortage area, at a clinic that receives federal HIV funding, or in other areas the government designates as needing HIV care workers. You also can't take advantage of this program and another federal loan forgiveness program at the same time for the same work. The bill sets aside $25 million per year for this program through 2027, and requires the government to report back to Congress every two years on whether it's actually helping get more HIV care providers into areas that need them.

The real impact is straightforward: this program aims to tackle a shortage of HIV specialists by making it financially easier for healthcare workers to choose this career path, particularly in rural areas and communities hit hardest by HIV.

HELP Act of 2021

Blunt Rochester, Lisa

HIV Epidemic Loan-Repayment Program Act of 2021 or the HELP Act of 2021 This bill directs the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to carry out a loan repayment program for certain health care providers who agree to provide HIV treatment or HIV dental care in (1) a designated health professional shortage area, (2) a clinical site that is funded under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, or (3) an area that meets requirements specified by HRSA. For each qualifying year of service, HRSA pays one-fifth of the principal&nbsp;and interest on any eligible loan, with total loan repayment after five years; repayment&nbsp;is capped at $250,000 per borrower.