Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer and Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for Hill Day with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. As the only Maine provider, they met directly with Senator Angus S. King, Jr., U.S. Senator Susan Collins, and the Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Chellie Pingree to champion critical behavioral health priorities.

Behavioral health is—and must continue to be—a bipartisan area of focus. Ensuring our communities have access to life-saving treatment is a shared responsibility that transcends politics.

Our Key Advocacy Priorities:
🧠 Expanding Access: Advancing the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model.
💼 Bolstering the Workforce: Supporting the professionals on the frontlines of care.
✍️ Securing Funding: Pushing for robust, level funding in federal appropriations.
🛡️ Protecting Medicaid: Safeguarding essential coverage for the vulnerable populations we serve.

Thank you to our congressional delegation and their staff for their continued dialogue and commitment to strengthening the mental health safety net in Maine and across the country!

Help us send a message to Congress with these easy action emails on the bills we advocated for:

Expand CCBHC Services – National Council for Mental Wellbeing | Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act

Medicare Equity – National Council for Mental Wellbeing | Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026

Peers – National Council for Mental Wellbeing | PEERS in Medicare Act

Workforce Training – National Council for Mental Wellbeing | Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act