August 01, 2019

Wyden Praises Federal Funding Extension for Community Clinics

Extension covers clinics in Portland metro area, Columbia County, Yamhill County, Eugene, Medford, Klamath Falls, Hood River, The Dalles, Deschutes County, Wallowa County and Grant County

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden welcomed this week’s congressional extension of federal funding for 12 community clinics in Oregon that provide localized crisis and outpatient behavioral health services.

Wyden said the federal funding extension until Sept. 13 will help ensure no interruption in critical services performed by the certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) as well as provides more time to achieve a longer-term extension for states that continue the demonstration.

“This week’s successful battle to help ensure Oregonians needing behavioral health treatment throughout our state is a significant step to maintaining access to top-notch mental and substance use care and treatment,” said Wyden, a cosponsor of the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act that would grant CCBHCs an additional two years of funding.

“These clinics provide much-needed care to Oregonians in every nook and cranny of our state, and also save money by often preventing costlier hospitalizations,” said Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. “And I will continue fighting to make sure these lifesaving clinics can keep their doors open on a long-term basis.”

There are a dozen CCBHCs throughout Oregon,  including in the Portland metro area, Columbia County, Yamhill County, Eugene, Medford, Klamath Falls, Hood River, The Dalles, Deschutes County, Wallowa County and Grant County. Oregon was selected as one of eight demonstration states under the CCBHC program.

“This community clinic program has helped more Wallowa County residents get improved access to high-quality rural care by integrating behavioral health with physical health,” said Chantay Jett, executive director of the Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness. “That proven track record is why we stand with Senator Wyden’s effort to extend this two-year demonstration project that’s also allowed us to strengthen our collaboration with Winding Waters Clinic, the local federally qualified health center; to standardize treatment practices; more than double how many people are enrolled in services; and to decrease wait time for services from 27 to nine days."