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Reps. Kildee, Bergman Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Support for School-Based Health Centers

May 5, 2020

Michigan Delegation Members Urge Leadership to Support School-Based Health Centers During Coronavirus Pandemic

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today sent a letter along with Representative Jack Bergman (MI-01) in support of dedicated funding for School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) in any upcoming coronavirus pandemic emergency relief bills.

SBHCs often provide medical services to low-income and economically disadvantaged students, allowing for health care equity among youth and adolescents who may face disparities due to race, ethnicity, or family income.

"Currently, SBHCs across the nation provide invaluable comprehensive health care services to over two million young people. These centers will become an even more vital resource for mental health services as a result of this pandemic, when many students and families might struggle with trauma and anxiety about returning to school, coupled with rising unemployment rates and economic instability." the letter reads in part.

In addition to Kildee and Bergman, the bipartisan letter was signed Representatives Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Fred Upton (MI-6), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Andy Levin (MI-09) and Haley Stevens (MI-11).

"We are truly grateful for the consideration of additional funding to expand our network of school-based health centers throughout Michigan. We see this funding really helping our centers in a number of ways. First, to help support our centers, who are losing revenue during the pandemic. Second, we see this funding to help expand the much-needed continued and expansive use of telephonic and telehealth services. And finally, this funding will help to fully support Michigan's students, when they return to school. We know they are facing daily traumas throughout this crisis, and this funding will allow our centers to stand ready to help children once schools are able to reopen their doors" said Debra Brinson, Executive Director of the School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan.

Below is the full text of the letter:

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Cole:

We write in support of dedicated funding for School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) in any upcoming coronavirus response package. There are over 2,000 centers across the nation, including 221 in Michigan, that are uniquely poised to address the immense physical and mental health needs of students and families resulting from COVID-19. A dedicated funding stream of $100 million for these centers would enable expanded access to health care and mental health services for students and families, even while schools remain closed, avoiding any potential gaps in care both during and after the pandemic.

Currently, SBHCs across the nation provide invaluable comprehensive health care services to over two million young people. These centers will become an even more vital resource for mental health services as a result of this pandemic, when many students and families might struggle with trauma and anxiety about returning to school, coupled with rising unemployment rates and economic instability. The centers also provide immediate support to communities during the pandemic by employing clinicians who can diagnose and treat COVID-19 patients, as well as case managers and nurses that support families when a parent has tested positive for COVID-19.

While schools in Michigan will be closed for the remainder of the year, they have been asked to continue to provide mental health care services for students, to the extent possible. This is important because indefinite school closures have created a gap in primary and behavioral health services that will persist at least through the end of summer, if not longer, as some SBHCs that operate in school facilities have been forced to shut their doors. This interruption in services has caused a major loss of revenue for centers across the nation that are still operating, as most SBHCs receive the majority of their funding through reimbursement activities via Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). More funding is needed to ensure that Michigan SBHCs can continue to support Michigan communities by providing vital mental health services to students during the pandemic.

Additional federal funding for SBHCs will ensure that centers can continue to provide invaluable care for families and students, even while schools remain closed for the foreseeable future. With additional funding, these centers can provide expanded mental health services via telemedicine, deploy more staff to diagnose and treat those with COVID-19, and establish new centers in communities that are hardest hit by the virus. Funding would also support preparations for any potential second peak of COVID-19 infections.

Our schools have been called on to continue to provide mental health services for students, even while they remain closed for the rest of the year. Additional federal support will allow our SBHCs to provide these necessary services to students in Michigan and across the country. We look forward to continuing to work with you to address the challenges brought on by COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Daniel T. Kildee Member of Congress

Jack Bergman Member of Congress

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