Maryland Behavioral Health Coalition

07/18/2023

Nearly three-quarters of America’s youth struggle to access mental health and substance use care, a stark disparity from their access to physical health care, at less than 20%. Check out The Bowman Family Foundation’s newest report – Equitable Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Care: An Urgent Need. https://ow.ly/rIsJ50Pe7xz

05/19/2023

Expanding access to care through telebehavioral health has long been a goal of the Maryland Behavioral Health Coalition. has increased access to and retention in care, and audio-only telebehavioral health made care available to Marylanders who lack access to stable internet connectivity, technological proficiency, or fluency in English. We’re proud to have supported SB534, the Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2023, extending provisions requiring coverage for audio-only telehealth services and rate reimbursement on par with in-person services through June 2025.

Read the National Council for Mental Wellbeing report "Pandemic Era Telehealth Innovations in Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment" at https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/resources/pandemic-era-telehealth-innovations/

This new report outlines pandemic era innovations, tools and recommendations to scale effective mental health and substance use treatment practices.

05/18/2023

We’re excited to see more than $2.5M head to Maryland universities to enhance the workforce for our schools. Supporting Maryland’s behavioral health workforce was a key goal of the 2023 Crisis Prevention Platform. These funds are a welcome and well-needed support while the workforce needs assessment required by SB283/HB418 is underway.

The Biden administration will distribute more than $2.5 million to four Maryland universities to train and hire new mental health service personnel in an...

05/03/2023

Today, Governor Wes Moore will sign several behavioral health bills into law, including the below bills advanced and prioritized by the Maryland Behavioral Health Coalition!

04/25/2023

A new survey from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing found the vast majority (83%) of the nation’s behavioral health workforce believes that without public policy changes, provider organizations won’t be able to meet the demand for mental health or substance use treatment and care.

With the passing of HB418/SB283 establishing a Behavioral Health Workforce Investment Fund and requiring a behavioral health workforce needs assessment, Maryland is taking the first steps to address the needs of behavioral health workers and Marylanders in need of mental health and substance use care. Thank you to Delegate Heather Bagnall and Senator Malcolm Augustine for your support during MDGA23!

Read the full study and press release at https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/news/help-wanted/.

⁣Our new survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, found that 83% of the nation’s behavioral health workforce believes without public policy changes, provider organizations won’t be able to meet the demand for mental health or substance use treatment and care.⁣⁣
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Attracting and retaining workers is crucial to the future of mental health treatment and substance use care.⁣
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Learn more: https://bit.ly/3AbNzZF.

04/11/2023

With all of the priorities passing through the Maryland General Assembly, we’re incredibly grateful to our community members, advocates, elected officials, and departmental staff for helping us create a better Maryland with expanded supports for Marylanders in need of mental health and substance use care when and where needed.

Thank you to our bill sponsors: Senator Guy Guzzone Senator Malcolm Augustine, Katie Fry Hester, Maryland Senate D9, and Delegate Heather Bagnall and David Moon - Progressive Democrat. A special thank you to Senate President Senator Bill Ferguson, Speaker Adrienne Jones, and Chairs Melony G. Griffith - Maryland State Senator District 25 & Joseline Peña-Melnyk! We’re excited to work together to implement the new legislation in the days to come. www.equaltreatmentmd.org

04/07/2023

The last, but not least, of the bills has passed both chambers and heads to Governor Moore’s desk! SB263 & HB418 establish the Behavioral Health Workforce Investment Fund and require a comprehensive needs assessment for Maryland’s behavioral health workforce. Thank you, Delegate Heather Bagnall and Senator Malcolm Augustine, for your hard work supporting both Maryland’s workers and citizens in need of mental health and substance use care. www.equaltreatmentmd.org

04/06/2023

In addition to the passage of the Behavioral Health Model for Maryland, our standalone bill (SB362) expanding CCBHCs in Maryland in FY25 and FY26 has passed both chambers and heads to Governor Moore for approval! Thank you, Senator Guy Guzzone, for your sponsorship and hard work to ensure all Marylanders have access to mental health and substance use care when and where needed. www.equaltreatmentmd.org

04/04/2023

HB1148, the Behavioral Health Model for Maryland that includes expanding CCBHCs in Maryland in FY25 and FY26, has passed both chambers and is heading to Governor Moore’s desk for approval! Thank you to Delegates David Moon - Progressive Democrat, Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Senator Malcolm Augustine, and the many co-sponsors of this bill for proving how important access to mental health and substance use care is in Maryland. www.equaltreatmentmd.org

04/03/2023

Exciting news! SB101 and HB48, expanding access to the Collaborative Care Model and improving the quality of primary behavioral health care, have passed both chambers and are on the way to Governor Moore’s desk. With prior coverage by Medicare and most commercial health insurers, it’s high time Maryland Medicaid recipients had access to this effective service delivery model. We look forward to seeing implementation across Maryland.

Thank you, Delegate Heather Bagnall and Senator Malcolm Augustine, for your hard work and constant support of Marylanders who need access to mental health and substance use care when and where needed. www.equaltreatmentmd.org

03/24/2023

A recent Motivo Health whitepaper on the mental health therapist shortage highlights the vast variety of reasons why a recent graduate in a mental health field may not receive licensure to practice. The comprehensive behavioral health workforce needs assessment required in SB 283/HB 418 can help Maryland find out which of these critical issues is impacting our graduates – and how we can solve it.

Learn How to Help the 57% of Graduates Who Never Attain Licensure Mental health is a critical issue in our society, and the shortage of licensed therapists is a significant challenge. Fill out the form below to receive your exclusive access to “The Mental Health Therapist Shortage Starts at Gradua...

03/21/2023

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) will allow Marylanders of all ages to access community-based mental health and substance use care when and where needed. Both the Senate and the House have passed bills placing Maryland on a path to join the 20+ other states that have established CCBHC programs! Thank you, Senator Guy Guzzone, Senator Malcolm Augustine, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk & Delegate Heather Bagnall for your continued support. www.equaltreatmentmd.org