Letter to the Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, the Hon. Kevin McCarthy, Minority Leader, the Hon. Rosa DeLauro, Chairwoman of House Appropriations, and the Hon. Tom Cole, Ranking Member of House Appropriations - Reps. Kildee, Bergman Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging Support for School-Based Health Centers

Letter

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Cole:
We write in support of dedicated funding for School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) in any
upcoming coronavirus response package. There are over 2,000 centers across the nation, including 221 in
Michigan, that are uniquely poised to address the immense physical and mental health needs of students
and families resulting from COVID-19. A dedicated funding stream of $100 million for these centers would
enable expanded access to health care and mental health services for students and families, even while
schools remain closed, avoiding any potential gaps in care both during and after the pandemic.
Currently, SBHCs across the nation provide invaluable comprehensive health care services to over
two million young people. These centers will become an even more vital resource for mental health services
as a result of this pandemic, when many students and families might struggle with trauma and anxiety about
returning to school, coupled with rising unemployment rates and economic instability. The centers also
provide immediate support to communities during the pandemic by employing clinicians who can diagnose
and treat COVID-19 patients, as well as case managers and nurses that support families when a parent has
tested positive for COVID-19.
While schools in Michigan will be closed for the remainder of the year, they have been asked to
continue to provide mental health care services for students, to the extent possible. This is important because
indefinite school closures have created a gap in primary and behavioral health services that will persist at
least through the end of summer, if not longer, as some SBHCs that operate in school facilities have been
forced to shut their doors. This interruption in services has caused a major loss of revenue for centers across
the nation that are still operating, as most SBHCs receive the majority of their funding through
reimbursement activities via Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). More funding
is needed to ensure that Michigan SBHCs can continue to support Michigan communities by providing vital
mental health services to students during the pandemic.
Additional federal funding for SBHCs will ensure that centers can continue to provide invaluable
care for families and students, even while schools remain closed for the foreseeable future. With additional
funding, these centers can provide expanded mental health services via telemedicine, deploy more staff to
diagnose and treat those with COVID-19, and establish new centers in communities that are hardest hit by
the virus. Funding would also support preparations for any potential second peak of COVID-19 infections.
Our schools have been called on to continue to provide mental health services for students, even
while they remain closed for the rest of the year. Additional federal support will allow our SBHCs to provide
these necessary services to students in Michigan and across the country. We look forward to continuing to
work with you to address the challenges brought on by COVID-19.