WASHINGTON— During today’s Energy and Commerce Committee markup on the next COVID-19 relief package, Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) emphasized the importance of access to mental health care.
Mullin Opening Statement at Budget Reconciliation Markup
Below are Mullin’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Chairman Pallone.
Governors and city leaders across the country have forced our communities to shut down because of the pandemic. These shutdowns have caused the mental health crisis in our country to get worse.
Light of Hope in Claremore, Oklahoma helps individuals struggling with addiction and other mental health issues, all free of charge.
Every day, Layla Freeman, Nancy Phelps and their staff help a countless number of people who have been negatively impacted from the isolation COVID has created. In a time when many organizations are downsizing, Light of Hope has expanded twice during the pandemic.
Not all communities are lucky enough to have an organization like Light of Hope to provide these services.
We haven’t even scratched the surface on the full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health crisis in our country.
Mental health care is just as important as physical health care. As we consider this next COVID relief package, we must ensure that expanding mental health care is part of the conversation.
I yield back.
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