March 2, 2022 9:40 a.m.

On Tuesday, the Oregon House of Representatives voted to support the state’s behavioral health workforce, strengthening access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment.

A release from Oregon House Democrats said House Bill 4004 B will provide over $130 million in grants to behavioral health providers to use for wage increases, retention bonuses, and improvements to working conditions.

Representative Rob Nosse, a Portland Democrat, said “This bill is a crucial step to meeting the needs of behavioral health workers and their patients”. Nosse said, “Now more than ever, we need to make sure these jobs are sustainable and invest in people who are caring for Oregonians”.

The release said the COVID-19 pandemic has caused burnout, stress and staff shortages for Oregon behavioral health providers, adding to existing workforce challenges. Oregon has the 4th highest rate of unmet need for mental health treatment in the country, according to Democrats.

The release said in 2021, the Legislature made a $474 million investment in behavioral health systems, including increased capacity in residential facilities, behavioral health clinics and incentives to increase and diversify Oregon’s behavioral health workforce. HB 4004 builds on those investments and addresses immediate workforce needs in the behavioral health system.

The bill passed the House on a 58-0 vote and now moves to the Senate.