OPINION: Rural Oregon deserves access to mental health care, too

In my conversations with providers, hospitals, and people across my district, I have consistently heard the same thing over and over: It’s getting harder to find a doctor in rural Oregon. 

Over the last ten years, we’ve seen dozens of rural health facilities close their doors in Oregon and across the country. That reality has created severe care shortages in many rural counties, especially when it comes to mental health care.

No one should have to travel long distances just to see a mental health provider. And, thanks to my new bill, they may no longer have to.

This month, I introduced the bipartisan Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act along with my colleague in the Rural Health Caucus, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN). Our legislation would expand access to telemental health services in rural communities. It would save folks time, money, and resources by allowing them to talk with a professional from the privacy of their own home.

My bill focuses specifically on those who work in farming, fishing, and forestry. These industries are critical to our economy and way of life in Oregon, but they’re also incredibly stressful. Long hours, geographical isolation, and persistent stigmas about seeking help are just some of the reasons we need to make it easier for these workers to access mental health care. 

I know there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this crisis. However, given what we know about the effectiveness of telehealth, we should be using every tool at our disposal to reduce barriers to care and ensure more Oregonians are receiving treatment.

The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act has strong support on both sides of the aisle, and I will continue urging my colleagues to support this critical bill. In the meantime, I won’t stop fighting to make mental health care accessible and affordable for everyone—regardless of zip code. 

This editorial was written by Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) for Pamplin Media Group. It published on Monday, December 18, 2023.