CASSOPOLIS — U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow was in Cassopolis Tuesday as part of a health care “check-in” series.

Stabenow visited the Cassopolis Family Clinic Network Tuesday to “check-in” and hear first first-hand from Michigan patients, providers and other stakeholders about their challenges and needs.

From hospitals, Veteran Affairs clinics and pharmacies to mental health and addiction treatment programs, home health and school based clinics, Stabenow is visiting a broad range of health services and providers across the state this year as part of the series.

As ranking member of the Health Care Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee, Stabenow plays a role in addressing federal health care policies. Her visits will help showcase innovative programs and services and discuss ways to improve services and bring down costs, according to her representatives.

Stabenow said her check-ins have been going well and that she is excited to continue to go around the state.

“There is such terrific work being done. We were up in Benton Harbor [Tuesday] at a local outpatient clinic, and they are doing such a great job,” Stabenow said. “They are doing a great job in Cassopolis as well. I’m so impressed that they are covering dental care, mental health, substance abuse and offering a pharmacy that is giving patients much lower medicine costs for what they need as well as basic services.”

Stabenow touched on how she is working to continue the funding for the 700,000 people who get their health care through community health centers which will end on Sept. 30. She is also working to provide the reimbursement for community mental health and addiction services.

“We want to make sure we are providing the same kind of reimbursement for behavioral health services that we do for physical health services because that is not occurring right now, and there is a huge name around mental health issues, opioid addiction, etc.,” the senator said. “The leading cause of death for those 50 years or younger is drug overdose, and so these are really important issues to take on,” Stabenow said.

Stabenow said that she is also going farther up north to meet with a group of farmers because she also works with agriculture extensively.

“These health care stops have been wonderful. There are terrific people and volunteers that are involved and care deeply and they are doing great work,” Stabenow said.

The Cassopolis Family Clinic Network is a 501(c)3 nonprofit health organization and was designated in 2007 as a Federally Qualified Health Center.

In addition to its Cassopolis headquarters — where Stabenow visited — CFCN houses the Ranger Wellness Center at Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School, and has multiple locations in Niles. A new clinic modeled after the Cassopolis based clinic is being erected in Niles Township at the former site of Eastgate shopping center, and is scheduled to open in fall 2019.