Mental health bill receives bipartisan support
LB 276 would expand mental health and substance abuse treatment
Legislative Bill 276, The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Act, was introduced by Lincoln State Senator Anna Wishart. The intent of the bill is to increase both access and capacity for mental health and substance use treatment.
This would be achieved by allowing qualifying nonprofit service providers to receive reimbursements for certain treatments through the Medicaid program. The bill includes a new payment framework which would provide daily or monthly payments. The goal of the bill is for the extra funds to allow providers to hire more staff and increase availability of care.
The bill further explains that its is to “respond to local needs, incorporate evidence-based practices, and establish care coordination” and create “effective community partnerships with law enforcement, schools, hospitals, primary care providers, and public and private service organizations to improve care, reduce recidivism, and address health disparities.”
Under the bill, in order to be defined as a certified community behavioral health clinic and qualify for reimbursements, the provider must offer nine community-based services directly or through referrals. These services include outpatient mental health and substance use services, crisis mental health services, screening, assessment and diagnosis, peer support, counselor services and family support.
The bill appeared before the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee on Thursday, Feb. 23. During the meeting, Wishart spoke about the need for a holistic approach to mental health and substance treatment that includes different areas of support in individual’s lives.
Governor Jim Pillen supported the bill through written testimony on March, Feb. 2. His support came as a surprise to many, who didn’t expect the Republican governor to support the bill from Wishart, a Democrat. Although the Nebraska Unicameral is technically nonpartisan (senators do not run affiliated with any parties) distinct voting lines are drawn by party affiliation.
In his testimony, Pillen stated, “What I think is important here is the timing and meaningful access of services and the outreach. If you’re out and around the state of Nebraska and talk to law enforcement, so much of their time is pulled away because they are helping families that have behavioral health or mental health problems.”
Wishart responded to Pillen’s support, saying that she looks forward to working with the governor to pass B 276 this year and emphasized the importance of bipartisan support to address Nebraska’s issues providing mental and behavioral health care.
The bill has also received support from officials with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services that offered additional testimony.
By: Aubrey Benton