Highlighting Lack of Mental Health Services in Rural America

Floor Speech

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Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the lack of mental health services in rural America.

As facilities close their doors and providers leave town, many people in our rural communities are forced to travel for miles to get care or forgo care altogether. That is harmful and unfair, which is why I introduced a bipartisan bill to expand access to telemental health services in rural areas.

This legislation will specifically help folks working in farming, fishing, and forestry. These industries are critical to our economy and way of life in my district. In fact, Oregon has the second-largest number of Triple-F workers per capita in the entire country. These jobs can also be very stressful, and few seek help due to stigma.

Improving telehealth access will take away that stigma, save folks time and resources, and get more Oregonians the help they need when they need it.

Congress has left rural America behind for far too long. It is time we change that.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this very important bill.

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