Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 22, 2024 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected] Nearly $250 million included in FY25 budget to expand access LANSING, Mich. – As part of the state’s continued commitment to expanding access to behavioral health services for Michigan families, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s FY2025 budget proposal includes $193.3 million to strengthen Michigan’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) demonstration program. Funds will be used to expand the number of CCBHC sites and establish more robust support, as well as oversight and monitoring, for Michigan’s Medicaid CCBHC demonstration. CCBHCs are non-profit or local government agencies that are federally required to provide nine comprehensive behavioral health services, including 24/7 mobile crisis response and medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel visited with Network 180, a Community Mental Health Authority that includes a CCBHC site in Kent County, Thursday, Feb. 22. The CCBHC model increases access to numerous behavioral health services by serving all individuals with a behavioral health diagnosis, regardless of insurance or ability to pay,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The CCBHC model has been shown to substantially increase access to care, advance the coordination of physical and behavioral health, strengthen community partnerships, address health inequities and improve the quality of behavioral health services.” The FY25 budget proposal will support expanded access to behavioral health supports and services for up to 50,000 additional Michigan residents. There are currently 30 CCBHCs in Michigan’s Medicaid demonstration project, as well as several additional provider organizations currently receiving federal grant funding to establish clinics and provide CCBHC services. In FY23, 13 Medicaid-funded CCBHCs provided services to approximately 75,000 unique individuals across Michigan. Approximately 30% of individuals served were children and young adults ages 0 to 21 and 70% were adults. Additional budget recommendations include funding to increase access to behavioral health services through direct program capacity enhancements, a managed care rate increase for behavioral health services, incentives to build a pipeline of qualified providers and ongoing resource support for people experiencing behavioral health crises.
Pictured during the MDHHS visit to Network 180 are (l. to r.) Sarah Desmarais, MDHHS senior advisor of economic stability operations and programs; David Knezek, MDHHS chief operating officer; Beverly Ryskamp, Network 180 chief operating officer; MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel; Bill Ward, Network 180 executive director; Amy Rottman, Network 180 chief financial officer; and Kristin Spykerman, Network 180 chief clinical officer. |
$250 million budget to expand behavioral health
