Catherine Cortez Masto

We have been working on helping to streamline the process, the application, but also the outreach and engagement is really key.

One of the things I have heard from our tribes is about the onerous application process.

I was proud to fight for changes in the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bill that we just passed that provided the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program with access to use direct loans through the Federal Financing Bank.

We must ensure that Native American businesses have the support they need to thrive.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 3:43 p.m., adjourned until Monday, March 7, 2022, at 3 p.m.

We encourage the Committee to advance the CAHOOTS Act to provide states with enhanced Medicaid funding.

I think that anybody who goes to a doctor and talks about their physical health, and has a funding source for that, that should be on par with mental health.

Mental health and substance use disorders are health care issues, not crimes.

I cannot thank you enough for this conversation, Mr. Chairman.

That is one of the reasons why I partnered with Senator Daines on legislation that actually enabled families with high-deductible health plans to access no-cost telehealth services before they meet their deductible.

I hear every day that one of the most critical ways we can protect kids' mental health is by keeping our schools open.

My goal has been to tear down that barrier and do away with stigma.

I just so appreciate the comments today on the need for more robust crisis services for kids.

People in crisis related to mental illness and substance use disorder are more likely to encounter police than get medical attention.

I truly believe that when they are in crisis mode, there should be a place to call.

That's right. Thank you.

One of my top priorities here at the Federal level is to make sure that our Federal partners are working constructively with the States and counties on the front line to meet our children's needs.

I look forward to working with partners across the organization and members of Congress to really continue to look for ways to continue to strengthen our workforce.

The impact of the pandemic has been really profound for the families that we are serving, as well as for the workforce that is serving these families.

Thank you to all of the nominees for your willingness to serve in these critical roles at the Department of Health and Human Services.

I think that diversity is important for this particular board because it is important that the members really mirror, represent the rest of the country.

Something does not smell right with the way this played out.

I think the lessons are still to be learned, because we have not completely emerged, certainly, from the effects of the pandemic.

Can any single one member weaponize the mission of the board? Yes or no.

That makes me feel much better.