September 23, 2024

Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $4 Million to Boost Behavioral Health Services in Oregon

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is awarding seven Oregon health centers a total of $4.1 million?to launch and expand their behavioral health services. This federal funding is critical to providing Oregon communities with more resources to help address mental health and substance use disorder challenges. 

“As I traveled the state to hold a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties this year, I heard from Oregonians about how we need to increase behavioral health care access in our communities, especially for those living in rural areas” Merkley said. “These federal investments will help our health centers provide more mental health and substance use disorder resources, giving more Oregonians the help they need to live safe, healthy lives.” 

“The challenges of behavioral health issues face so many Oregonians with the impact rippling out to their families, friends and communities,” Wyden said. “These challenges are statewide, and I’m both glad these federal funds are heading to help Oregon and resolute to keep battling for similar investments that improve treatment for mental health and substance abuse in every nook and cranny of our state.”

Health centers are critical community providers, which serve as a primary source of care for individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in Medicaid. This makes them well-positioned to respond to the urgent need for accessible, high-quality behavioral health services. 

HRSA—an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—is investing a total of $240 million in awards to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder services in more than 400 community health centers across the country that care for more than 10 million people.  

The health centers in Oregon receiving awards from this federal funding are as follows: 

  • $600,000 for Umpqua Community Health Center, Inc. in Roseburg 
  • $600,000 for Mosaic Community Health in Prineville 
  • $600,000 for One Community Health in Hood River 
  • $600,000 for Multnomah County health centers in Portland 
  • $600,000 for the Neighborhood Health Center in Portland 
  • $600,000 for the Wallace Medical Concern in Portland 
  • $500,000 for Asher Community Health Center in Fossil 

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