On March 9, 2022, Associate Policy Director D’Paul Nibber submitted testimony to the House Health and Government Operations and Appropriations Committees in support of HB 935 – Health and Health Insurance – Behavioral Health Services – Expansion (Behavioral Health System Modernization Act). This bill would, among other provisions, would require Maryland Medical Assistance to reimburse behavioral health crisis response services including crisis call centers, mobile crisis services, and stabilization services.

From the MACo testimony: 

Behavioral health interventions have received renewed focus as a result of high profile incidents involving individuals experiencing crises related to mental health and substance use disorders. Counties have acted swiftly to ensure our shared constituents receive the supports they need: standing up hotlines, building crisis stability centers, and establishing mobile crisis intervention teams. This bill would help sustain these efforts by making them reimbursable through Maryland Medical Assistance.

MACo testified on the bill’s crossfile, SB 637, on February 23, 2022.

More on MACo’s Advocacy:

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2022 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.
Learn more about MACo’s 2022 Legislative Initiatives.
Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog.