Release
Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) released the following statement after both the House and Senate passed a short-term extension for the for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) program through September 13, 2019. The CCBHC pilot program in Oklahoma has provided assistance for those battling mental illness and substance abuse disorders for the last two years.
“Despite the opioid crisis leading to the deaths of more than 70,000 Americans by drug overdoses, only one in ten Americans with an addiction receives treatment,” Mullin said. “CCBHCs have dramatically improved access to community-based opioid addiction care in Oklahoma and the seven other states with pilot programs. While I am glad that a short-term extension will allow the services to continue, I hope the Senate can come to an agreement to further extend the program so that more people get the help they need.”
Funding for the CCBHC program ran out earlier this month. In June, the House passed H.R. 3253, the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act, which will extend funding CCBHCs for two years. The Senate did not come to a long-term agreement, and as a result, both the House and Senate passed a short-term extension of funding.