1. Strengthening the mental health workforce (a) In general Part B of title VII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 293 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 742. Strengthening the mental health workforce (a) In general The Secretary shall establish and carry out a mental health provider loan deferment and forgiveness program under which the eligible individual agrees to be employed full-time for a period of at least 5 years (beginning on the date on which the individual graduates from medical school) in providing mental and behavioral health care, including substance abuse prevention and treatment services— (1) as a solo practitioner— (A) at least 30 percent of the patients of which are individuals receiving medical assistance under a State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act (or a waiver of such plan); and (B) at least 50 percent of the patients of which are members of a racial and ethnic minority group (as defined in section 1707); or (2) at an institution that accepts patients described in paragraph (1)(A) and at which at least 50 percent of the patients served by the institution are members of a racial and ethnic minority group (as defined in section 1707). (b) Program administration Through the program established under this section, the Secretary shall enter into contracts with eligible individuals under which— (1) such eligible individuals will agree to provide mental and behavioral health care services as described in subsection (a); (2) the Secretary agrees that periodic installments of the principal of an eligible loan need not be paid, but interest shall accrue and be paid, during any period during which the borrower is employed as described in subsection (a)