Mikie Sherrill: “COVID-19 weighs heavily on our communities. The pandemic has increased isolation, anxiety, and economic stress for…”

“COVID-19 weighs heavily on our communities. The pandemic has increased isolation, anxiety, and economic stress for millions of Americans, and we have seen a sharp increase in overdoses across the country. The Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program tracks overdoses and has documented a 42 percent increase in suspected overdoses compared to the data from May 2019. In New Jersey, State health officials say there has been a 20 percent increase in overdose deaths since May. The Mental and Substance Use Disorder Workforce Training program is critical to ensuring the necessary resources and training for medical practitioners and mental health professionals. This program makes grants to institutions, including medical schools and federally- qualified health centers, to support training for medical residents and fellows in psychiatry and addiction medicine, as well as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and others to provide substance use treatment in underserved communities. My amendment highlights the critical nature of these programs, and I applaud the committee for increasing funding for this training to support the mental and physical health of Americans.”