Political Quotes

“I am pleased to be joining Senator Blunt in introducing the Ensuring Children's Access to Specialty Care Act. According to the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, there are currently only 8,300 child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) in the United States--many of whom are not practicing full time--far short of the estimated need of over 30,000 CAPs. On average, patients wait almost two months to see a CAP, a startling concern given that the incidence rates of mental illness and behavioral disorders among children in the United States continue to grow. Fifty percent of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin at age 14; seventy-five percent by age 24. The National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (NHSCLRP) was created by Congress over forty years ago to help recruit and place trained individuals in underserved communities to provide needed health care services. Licensed health care providers may earn up to $50,000 toward student loans in exchange for a two-year commitment at an NHSC-approved site, within two years of completing their residency. Accepted participants may serve as primary care medical, dental, or mental/ behavioral health clinicians.…”