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MDHHS offers student loan repayment program to help expand opioid use disorder treatment

LANSING, Mich. – As part of efforts to increase access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is offering student loan repayment to providers if they begin providing or expand opioid addiction treatment programs.

“This program has helped expand life-saving treatment to those suffering from opioid and substance use disorders, particularly in areas where treatment is difficult to access,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “It also eases the financial burden for providers working in this field and offers an incentive for those considering entering this vital workforce.”

An estimated 1.3 million Michigan residents need treatment for SUD but are not receiving it, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. A needs assessment conducted by MDHHS identified workforce shortages as a leading cause for this gap. Michigan currently ranks 40th in the number of SUD counselors per adult with an SUD. This shortage, in part, is due to high costs and barriers to education and certification.

Through the Michigan Opioid Treatment Access Loan Repayment Program, providers may be eligible for student loan repayments between $15,000 and $30,000. The program is available to medical doctors and osteopathic medicine doctors, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and substance use disorder counselors who begin offering opioid treatment or expand treatment that is already being offered. Providers who work in a variety of health care settings are eligible to apply.

The program is being funded through the Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund, which is receiving payments from the nationwide settlement with the three largest pharmaceutical distributors, as well as opioid manufacturer, Johnson and Johnson.

To date, 138 providers have had more than $2.5 million in student loans partially repaid through the program.

Applications must be submitted by Monday, May 19. Applications and other resources are available at Michigan.gov/miota. Health care providers are encouraged to review the materials and submit applications when the cycle begins.

For more information, email MDHHS-MIOTA-LRP@michigan.gov.

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