Congressman Neguse Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Access to Mental Health Care in Rural America
Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse teamed up with Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) to introduce the bipartisan Agriculture Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act. This bill directs the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to take steps to improve access to addiction and mental health care providers and services for farmers and ranchers in rural areas.
Colorado’s farmers and ranchers work around the clock to provide for people across the country, often at a personal cost and while grappling with frequent wildfires, severe drought, and volatile commodity prices. Yet, at the same time, many rural and agricultural communities lack reliable access to mental health care.
“Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, and producers are the backbone of America and are essential to the vitality of our state’s economy and our nation's food security. We must make sure we are supporting access to health care for them and their families,” said Congressman Neguse. “The Agriculture Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act takes an important first step towards bridging access and care gaps and ensuring that rural America has access to essential health care services.”
“Farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our nation, working tirelessly to feed and fuel America. This legislation takes an important step toward understanding the gaps in access to mental health and addiction care for our agricultural communities. I’m committed to making sure our farmers and rural families have access to the support services they deserve, and I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan effort with my friend Congressman Joe Neguse,” said Congressman Van Orden.
Read bill text HERE.
“Colorado Farm Bureau appreciates Congressman Joe Neguse's leadership on the Agricultural Access to Mental Health and Addiction Act. The study this bill would authorize comes at a crucial time as farmers and ranchers face historically low snowpack conditions and below average rainfall. We know the correlations between deteriorations in mental health and increased production risk are profound, so we are proud to support this effort and aim at providing additional resources for those producing our food and fiber,” said Carlyle Currier, President, Colorado Farm Bureau.
“The Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care is a critical step toward addressing the behavioral health crisis in agricultural communities nationwide. There are many factors which make it difficult for rural Americans to receive behavioral health support, such as social isolation, cultural stigma, and inaccessibility of resources. RMFU's AgWell program has seen the impact small investments in programs can make and support this bill,” said Carlyle Stewart, Director of AgWell at Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU).
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