November 19, 2004
Honorable Robert Thompson, Chairman
Senate Appropriations Committee
Room 281, The State Capitol
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Subject: House Bill 1530
Dear Senator Thompson:
On behalf of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Pennsylvania
(NAMI PA), I would like to urge your support for House Bill 1530, the
Mental Health and Mental Retardation Staff Member and Alcohol and Drug
Addiction Counselor Loan Forgiveness Programs Act. This legislation
unanimously passed the House on June 30, 2004. It was subsequently reported
from the Senate Education Committee on October 6, and after receiving
second consideration on the Senate Calendar, it was re-referred to the
Senate Appropriations Committee on November 18.
Due in part to low salaries, the number of college-educated individuals
entering the mental health, mental retardation and drug and alcohol
counseling professions has diminished and the number of college students
planning to enter these professions appears to be inadequate to meet
future needs. This legislation will help create incentives for individuals
to seek counseling degrees by providing a loan forgiveness program through
the Pennsylvania Health Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). This legislation
is similar to other successful loan forgiveness programs.
We respectfully urge your support for House Bill 1530 and request that
the bill be reported from the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Sincerely,
James W. Jordan, Jr.
Executive Director
