Rep. Huffman Announces More Than $1.3M in Federal Funding to Fight Substance Abuse

March 16, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded more than $1.3 million to health centers in Huffman’s 2nd Congressional District to improve and expand substance abuse medical services. The funding, part of the $94 million awarded nationally through the Affordable Care Act, is aimed at combating opioid use disorders in underserved populations.

“Opioid abuse and addiction, including to heroin and prescription pain medication, is escalating across our country—and that includes California’s North Coast, said Rep. Huffman. “Too many lives and families have been disrupted by this public health crisis, and we must do more to protect our loved ones. Funds like these are a vital step in stopping the cycle of addiction and providing critical medical care to patients in need.”  

The award, split across four health centers in Marin, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties, comes in addition to the federal discretionary funds that help finance the centers’ day-to-day operations. The Mendocino Community Health Clinic in Ukiah, West County Health Center in Guerneville, and the Petaluma Health Center were each awarded $325,000. The Marin City Health & Wellness Center was awarded $406,250.

The HRSA’s Health Center Program supports over 1,300 patient-directed organizations that provide primary and preventative care to medically underserved populations across the nation. These grants, which HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell announced on Friday, will help health centers provide medication, counseling, and behavioral therapies to new and existing patients. 

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