; and (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking Federal, ; and (ii) by striking equal to the greater of— and all that follows through the end of subparagraph (B) and inserting of at least 2 consecutive years; ; (4) in subsection (d)— (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) In general A loan repayment provided for an individual under a written contract under the Program shall consist of payment, in accordance with paragraph (2), for the individual toward the outstanding principal and interest on education loans incurred by the individual in the pursuit of the relevant degree in accordance with the terms of the contract. ; (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking For each year and inserting the following: (A) In general For each year ; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: (B) Considerations The Secretary may take action in making awards to ensure that— (i) not less than 50 percent of contracts under subsection (c) are awarded to individuals, who at the time of entering into the contract, are not employed by a local, State, or tribal public health agency or a related training fellowship, as recognized by the Secretary; and (ii) the contracts provided under subsection (c) are equitably distributed among— (I) the geographical regions of the United States; and (II) local, State, and tribal public health departments. ; and (C) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: (3) Tax treatment of payments For purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, a payment made under this section shall be treated in the same manner as an amount received under section 338B(g), as described in section 108(f)(4) of such Code. ; (5) in subsection (e)— (A) by striking receiving a degree or certificate from a health professions or other related school and inserting with a contract to serve under subsection (c) ; and (B) by inserting or extended after postponed ; (6) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h)