Washington lawmakers’ $69 billion budget includes nearly $2 billion for mental health initiatives – State of Reform

Washington lawmakers announced 2 years operating budget Last weekend, we gave nearly $2 billion to mental health initiatives.

A $69 billion budget will fund mental health support, emergency housing and rental assistance over the next two years. This includes $211 million for community behavioral health capacity, more than double last year’s allocation. It also includes the first funding designated for youth mental health facilities, with $18 million to support capacity building in youth care.

Inseparable, a national nonprofit that advocates for mental health, thanked lawmakers in Washington for supporting the landmark quota in a statement.

“Inseparable is grateful to Congress for significant operating budgets for mental health care, including a new program to support rural school students with telemental health services,” said Bill Smith, Inseparable founder. says Mr. “Mental health problems are on the rise, especially among children, and it is of utmost importance that young people have the support they need, when and where they need it.”

Key behavioral health initiatives within the budget include:

• Approximately $410 million to increase the rate of behavioral health providers paid through Medicaid Managed Care and Behavioral Health Managed Services organizations by 15%, effective January 1, 2024. The rate of opting out of managed care services for the Medicaid program will increase by 22%.
• Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and Health Care Authority (HCA) True Blood vs DSHS The settlement will fund forensic navigators, outpatient rehabilitation, housing, crises, diversions, and other community support services required under the settlement agreement.
• Over $184 million maple lane campus Baker and Chelan’s cottages have been added for forensic patients.
• DSHS spends more than $132 million to operate a 48-bed residential treatment facility campus in Vancouver. This facility serves civil conversion patients.
• Approximately $101 million will fund a range of initiatives to improve crisis and residential treatment services for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. This includes funding treatment services at new crisis stabilization facilities and residential treatment facilities that will come online as a result of previous capital budget investments.

Several budget items also support DSHS’ long-term care and developmental disabilities initiatives.

• A total of $759 million to provide new labor rates for home care providers and raise administrative fees for home care agencies.
• Total 2 for price increases for various services, including assisted living, assisted living, employment and community involvement, specialized dementia care, enhanced service facilities, and case management services for community agencies on aging $52 million.
• A total of $142 million in rate adjustments for base and specialty fees paid to skilled nursing facilities.
• $108 million total for various initiatives to transition clients from acute care hospitals to community placements. This includes pilot programs for clients with high support needs, home-based and community-based services his provider support, migration support, and incentive payments to providers. For those who are transferred from an acute care hospital.

The budget includes several housing and homeless initiatives directed by the Department of Commerce. This includes emergency housing, shelter capacity, and related funding previously funded through temporary state and federal programs, including Federal Emergency Solutions grants provided under Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security. includes approximately $167 million in grants to support support services thatCareless) activity.

The budget is awaiting Governor Jay Inslee’s signature.