Wyden, Merkley Announce $2.2 Million For Rural Mental Health

Wyden, Merkley Announce $2.2 Million For Rural Mental Health

Grande Ronde Hospital in Union County to benefit

Washington D.C.-U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced more than $2.2 million to support mental health and acute care workforce development at the Grande Ronde Hospital in Union County.

"Rural health care recently has seen extraordinary cuts due to Republicans gutting Medicaid, and it is absolutely essential to support hospital systems and providers to ensure folks get the mental health care they need," Wyden said. "I applaud Grande Ronde Hospital for receiving this award, and I am working around the clock to fight for more resources to bolster mental health care in Oregon and across the nation."

"As I hold town halls across the state, I hear from Oregonians in every county about healthcare challenges in their communities, especially in rural areas that face unique hurdles in providing and accessing care," Merkley said. "Mental health care is essential health care, and the roadblocks to receiving care continue to grow as Republicans gut Medicaid. This investment in Grande Ronde Hospital will help improve access to critical mental health care for rural Oregonians in Union County.  I'll keep fighting for investments in rural communities so working families can get the care they need to thrive." 

This $2.2 million investment from the Economic Development Administration will support renovating an Acute and Behavioral Health Care Workforce Development Center serving Union County. The project involves the renovation and expansion of a medical office building and site improvements to the parking area for the building.

"We are grateful for the support of Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley and the U.S. Economic Development Administration in making this critical investment possible. This funding will allow us to expand and modernize our Workforce Development Center, helping to train the next generation of healthcare professionals while improving access to care for families across rural Eastern Oregon. Federal partnerships like this are essential to ensuring that rural communities have the resources they need to thrive," said Jeremy Davis, President/CEO Grande Ronde Hospital & Clinics.