Maryland Senate OKs Funding Increase For Behavioral Health
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland Senate has passed a bill to increase funding for community behavioral health providers that treat mental health and substance use disorders.
The Senate passed the bill 47-0 on Friday. It now goes to the House of Delegates.
The bill increases provider rates by 3.5 percent for fiscal years 2019 and 2020 and by 3 percent for the next three years after that.
The measure also creates a rate study to determine a cost-based payment structure that would provide reimbursement to sustain community-based behavioral health services.
Supporters say demand for such services has increased dramatically, but treatment capacity has not.
The measure is known as the "Keep the Door Open Act."
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.