PORTLAND, OR -- Another member of President Biden’s cabinet was in Oregon Friday. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra talked about ways to stabilize the behavioral health workforce with Oregon doctors, educators and those working in the field.
"I know we all have work to do; Oregon still has work to do. But, I travel throughout the country - you all get it. And thank you for trying to get ahead and do things a little bit better," He told the group gathered at a roundtable discussion in Tigard. "Nine in 10 Americans are crying out, saying that America is experiencing a mental health crisis. And so we have to do much, much more."
Attendees expressed concern about high burnout among those in the behavioral health sector, saying low pay and rising student debt are big issues. Sec. Becerra told them the National Health Service Corps is helping, while increasing the workforce in rural areas, "We actually boosted the number of people who qualify to receive the support - the loan forgiveness, the scholarship - to 20,000 people in America, who all are now committed to serve four or five years in an underserved community, because they’re getting their medical school or nursing school paid for."
The Secretary says many important programs are provided by the state, but insists the federal government is doing what it can, "We’re trying to make sure that we expand not just 988, but other hotline services. We provide, now, maternal health hotline services for women, especially in regards to mental health."
After the roudtable, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley told KBND News he’s pleased the Secretary is learning about the lack of staffing in mental and behavioral healthcare, "Right now, we’re about 36,000 people short, here in Oregon, and unless we find a way to facilitate the training of a lot more people, our population is going to be dramatically underserved in a very critical area of healthcare." Merkley says the Senate Appropriations bill includes funding for 19 Oregon healthcare projects, including for St. Charles to establish a Psychiatry Residency program in Central Oregon.
Sec. Becerra also met with students, teachers and advocates at a Portland-area middle school to talk about youth substance abuse.
Photo: HHS Sec. Xavier Becerra speaks to healthcare experts during a roundtable discussion, alongside U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas and U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley on 08/04/23.
