Equal Treatment Maryland
Things are moving right along in Annapolis. The legislature will hear testimony this week on one of the Behavioral Health Coalition’s priority bills, and another piece of the 2023 Behavioral Health Crisis Prevention Platform has just been introduced.
The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow on legislation designed to improve the quality of behavioral health care delivered in primary care settings by expanding access to the proven Collaborative Care Model. SB 101 is a key strategy in the Coalition’s efforts to improve behavioral health outcomes, save money, and keep people out of crisis.
Another priority this year for the Behavioral Health Coalition is SB 283 | HB 418. This newly introduced legislation would establish a Behavioral Health Workforce Investment Fund to reimburse for costs associated with educating, training, certifying, recruiting, placing, and retaining behavioral health professionals and paraprofessionals. This bill is a key strategy in our efforts to expand the behavioral health workforce.
You can learn more about the Collaborative Care Model and the Behavioral Health Workforce Investment Fund on the Equal Treatment Maryland website.
And you can help us garner support for these bills by submitting a brief letter to the editor of your local newspaper. You can find draft letters and submission information for newspapers across the state here.
MHAMD 2023 Legislative Briefing and Reception
We are back in person this year for the first time since 2020. Join us in Annapolis on February 15 as we welcome and hear from Governor Wes Moore and the following policymakers:
- Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, and Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Chair of the House Health and Government Operations Committee will discuss the evolution and expansion of Maryland’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program
- Kathleen Birrane, Commissioner of the Maryland Insurance Administration, will discuss efforts to ensure parity compliance and network adequacy
- Senator Guy Guzzone, Chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, will discuss the behavioral health implications of Maryland’s 2023 state budget
- Senator Malcolm Augustine, Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, will discuss efforts to expand Maryland’s 988 program
- Delegate Heather Bagnall, House Health and Government Operations Committee, will discuss expanding Maryland’s Collaborative Care Model program
The Legislative Briefing and Reception is just a few weeks away, and tickets are limited. Register today and join us in Annapolis on February 15!
This Week in Annapolis
The Coalition priorities above aren’t the only important policy issues being discussed in Annapolis. Here are some of the other hearings MHAMD is focused on this week.
SB 8 MHAMD supports this bill outlining specific requirements related to the development, review and reassessment of treatment plans for individuals admitted to state facilities.
SB 108 MHAMD supports this bill requiring private health insurers to provide coverage and reimbursement for annual behavioral health wellness visits.
Further information about the material above is available on the Maryland General Assembly website.