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7/6/2022
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Rep. Baginski praises inclusion of community behavioral health clinics in budget
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STATE HOUSE – Rep. Jacquelyn Baginski (D-Dist. 17, Cranston) is praising the establishment of state Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) within the FY 2023 state budget.
The clinics provide integrated, evidence-based substance abuse disorder and mental health services, including 24/7 crisis response and medication-assisted treatment. They have high standards for timeliness of access, quality reporting, staffing and coordination with social services, criminal justice and education systems, and they are funded at levels that reflect the full costs meet the need for care in their communities.
“There is no question that our state is facing a mental health crisis that has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Too many Rhode Islanders, young and old, are not receiving, or are unable to access, the mental health services that they need. Thankfully, this budget item will help correct this troubling trend, while also allowing Rhode Island to save crucial tax dollars through enhanced federal reimbursement for these clinics. This model of community-based mental health care is successful across the country and I am grateful Rhode Islanders will have the mental health care that they deserve,” said Representative Baginski.
Representative Baginski introduced legislation (2022-H 7858) which would authorize and direct the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval to establish CCBHCs, and to cover all behavioral health services at CCBHCs through a bundled payment methodology that is specific to each provider organization’s anticipated costs.
The budget item is based upon Representative Baginski’s legislation.
CCBHCs are specially-designated clinics that provide a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services. They qualify for an enhanced Medicaid reimbursement rate based on their anticipated costs of expanding services to meet the needs of these complex populations.
More than 430 CCBHCs are operating in 42 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Guam.
CCBHCs have dramatically increased access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment, expanded states’ capacity to address the overdose crisis and established innovative partnerships with law enforcement, schools and hospitals to improve care, reduce recidivism and prevent hospital readmissions.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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