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Dear Friend,
Last week, I was honored to host Mr. Tom Coderre in Oregon’s Sixth District. Mr. Coderre is the first person in recovery to have led the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, better known as SAMHSA, and he is a leading advocate in the fight against addiction and mental illness.
I'd like to give you a quick recap of everything we did.
We kicked off the morning with a roundtable discussion at a certified community behavioral health center in Yamhill County. During our conversation, we heard firsthand from local stakeholders about the work they are doing to make sure that folks in our district have access to high-quality mental, behavioral, and physical health care – regardless of someone’s insurance status.
Afterwards, we made our way over to McMinnville High School to visit their student-based health center (SBHC). SBHCs are located on or near school grounds to ensure students and young people can access quality health care. Similar to community health centers, SBHCs provide care at low or no cost to students and their families.
I am energized by the discussions we had. Community health centers like the ones we visited in McMinnville are on the frontlines of the mental health and addiction crisis. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, I’ll keep working to provide them with the resources and support they need from our federal government. And I will continue to partner with SAMHSA, local leaders, and members of the community to ensure more Americans can get the care and treatment they deserve.
Be well,
Andrea Salinas
Member of Congress
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