BOSTON, January 31, 2023 - We are pleased to announce that the MA Repay Program, the Commonwealth's largest ever health and human service student loan repayment program, has received thousands of applications as of its Monday, January 30th, 2023, 5 pm deadline. Evaluation is anticipated to be completed by spring 2023, after which we will notify over 2,000 clinicians and patient-support professionals of awards ranging from $12.5K to $300K.
The MA Repay Program's enormous success would not have been possible without the hard work and cooperation of hundreds of people, including executives and managers at community health centers, community mental health centers, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric units at acute care hospitals, and substance use treatment providers; leaders of the Commonwealth's primary care, behavioral health, and hospital associations; representatives of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; members of the Massachusetts legislature; vendors; and, of course, our diligent staff.
We are especially grateful to the MA Repay Program's thousands of applicants for taking the time to complete the program paperwork and for their critical and ongoing role in the physical and mental wellbeing of Massachusetts residents.
About the MA Repay Program
The COVID-19 pandemic severely stressed the Massachusetts health and human service system. Many professionals experienced burnout, retired early, or sought different occupations. The Commonwealth now faces a shortage of clinicians and patient support staff, which will only grow without intervention. In addition, the global crisis increased the need for and use of mental health and substance use professionals, a trend that continues. The MA Repay Program seeks to address this unprecedented disruption and strain by repaying over $130 million in student loans for health and human service professionals across Massachusetts. The program aims to support key staff in community health centers, community mental health centers, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, the psychiatric units of acute care hospitals, and substance use settings.
The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund. It is administered by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers on behalf of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
