December 21, 2016

Wyden Praises Oregon’s Selection in Demonstration Program Treating Mental and Substance Use Disorders

Clinics to benefit in Baker, Columbia, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Malheur, Multnomah, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington & Yamhill counties

Washington – U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden praised today’s selection of Oregon for participation in a federal community health clinic demonstration program as a well-deserved boost to high-quality care for people in all parts of the state with mental and substance use disorders. 

Oregon is one of eight states chosen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the two-year Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic demonstration program.

“This program will help rural and urban Oregonians receive quality treatment that’s proven effective for mental health and substance use disorders,” said Wyden, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. “All of Oregon can look forward to seeing real gains from this comprehensive approach that blends behavioral health care with physical health care.”

Oregon’s demonstration program has 14 certified clinics in Baker, Columbia, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Malheur, Multnomah, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill counties.

Certified clinics will provide core services, use evidence-based practices and health information technology, report on quality measures, and coordinate care with primary care providers and hospitals in the community.  Integrated services include peer-delivered services, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, recovery supports, and treatment for co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.

Participating Oregon clinics will be reimbursed at a fixed daily rate for all services provided to Oregon Health Plan beneficiaries. Populations to be served include adults with serious mental illness, children with serious emotional disturbance, and those with long-term and serious substance use disorders, as well as others with mental illness and substance use disorders.

States have until July 1, 2017 to begin their two-year demonstration programs. Other states besides Oregon chosen for participation are Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

For more information, go to https://www.samhsa.gov/section-223