Senator Tammy Baldwin secured commitments from HHS nominees to restore the "Press 3" specialized service for LGBTQ+ youth
Sep 17, 2026, 2:51 PM ET
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U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) secured commitments from Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) nominees during a Senate hearing that the administration will restore the "Press 3" specialized service for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by the end of September. The commitment came during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing where Senator Baldwin questioned HHS Deputy Secretary nominee Chris Klomp and Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (SAMHSA) nominee Dr. Timothy Westlake regarding delays in restoring the vital line.
The specialized "Press 3" option was abruptly canceled over a year ago under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Despite Congress passing bipartisan funding legislation for Fiscal Year 2026 mandating the relaunch of these specialized services, the administration had failed to reinstate them with only two weeks remaining in the fiscal year. LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, making access to specialized crisis care a critical priority. Before its cancellation, the specialized hotline was fielding approximately 10% of all 988 contacts, including 19% of all text interactions.
During their testimony, both nominees confirmed that a contract has now been awarded to restore the "Press 3" services, with an official announcement regarding the relaunch expected prior to the conclusion of the fiscal year on September 30.
In her opening statement, Senator Baldwin also raised broader concerns regarding current federal health policies, emphasizing their detrimental impact on public health across the nation. She pointed to public health threats including local outbreaks of measles and foodborne illnesses, alongside withheld or frozen federal funding affecting Head Start programs and medical research at the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, Senator Baldwin highlighted projections indicating that substantial cuts to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage could leave up to 15 million Americans without health coverage.
Todd Coppernoll oversees local news for WRCO and WRCE radio in Richland Center. Having served Richland Center as Mayor for three terms, Todd brings a unique perspective, and a familiar voice to the news. The focus is local, and so is the reporter.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.
