WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced Monday that the Health Resources and Services Administration will award a total of $4.1 million to seven health centers in Oregon to start and expand behavioral health services, including $600,000 to Mosaic Community Health Clinic in Central Oregon.
“This federal funding is critical to providing Oregon communities with more resources to address mental health and substance use disorder issues,” the senators said in the announcement.
Mosaic Community Health will receive the $600,000 it applied for to increase behavioral health and substance use disorder staffing at Mosaic clinics across Central Oregon, said Elaine Nobs-Seasoltz, director of strategic development.
The increase in clinic staffing will take place over the next year and will benefit all of Mosaic’s clinics in Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras, she said.
“As I traveled around the state this year holding town hall meetings in all 36 Oregon counties, I heard from Oregonians about the need to increase access to behavioral health care in their communities, especially for those who live in rural areas,” Merkley said. “These federal investments will enable our health centers to provide more mental health and substance use disorder resources so more Oregonians can get the help they need to live safe and healthy lives.”
“Behavioral health challenges face many Oregonians and the impacts ripple through their families, friends and communities,” Wyden said. “These challenges span the entire state, and I’m pleased to see these federal funds used to support Oregon, and I’m determined to continue fighting for similar investments that improve mental health and substance abuse treatment in every corner of our state.”
Health centers are important community providers as the primary providers of care to those who are uninsured, underinsured, or on Medicaid, so they are well positioned to meet the urgent need for accessible, quality behavioral health services.
HRSA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is investing grant funding totaling $240 million to initiate and expand mental health and substance use disorder services at more than 400 community health centers across the country, which care for more than 10 million people.
Oregon medical centers that receive this federal funding include:
$600,000 to Umpqua Community Health Center in Lordsburg, $600,000 to Mosaic Community Health in Prineville, $600,000 to One Community Health in Hood River, $600,000 to Multnomah County Health Center in Portland, $600,000 to Neighborhood Health Center in Portland, $600,000 to Wallace Medical Concern in Portland and $500,000 to Usher Community Health Center in Fossil.
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