Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will seek increased funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in her next state budget proposal.
“Since I took office, we have made record bipartisan investments in mental health to expand access and reduce costs,” Whitmer said. “With this year's budget, let's expand behavioral health care to more Michiganders and ensure they get the support they need to get better.”
On Wednesday, Whitmer outlined her vision for the state's 2025 budget to lawmakers, who will consider the governor's budget proposal and revise their own in the coming months. The 2025 budget year begins on October 1st.
Prior to announcing the budget, Whitmer said: forward She said she recommends investing in CCBHCs, which work to increase access to mental health care and substance use disorder services regardless of an individual's ability to pay.
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In Michigan Over 30 CCBHCsmainly concentrated in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula.
“Mental health is as much a priority as physical health,” Whitmer said.
He did not say how much money he would like to allocate to the clinic.
In this fiscal year 2024 budget, $82 billion state budget, Over $250,000 I was dedicated to increasing the number of CCBHCs in the state.
Whitmer said she will request funding for CCBHCs in fiscal year 2025, with a focus on providing free mental health and substance use disorder services to those who need them. Investments will focus on underserved communities, including active duty military and veterans, Medicaid recipients, and economically unstable Michiganders who are not adequately covered by private insurance. We also intend to explore opportunities to bridge the gap.
Michigan Community Mental Health Association (CMHA) CEO Robert Sheehan said in a statement that no Michigander should live without mental health care.
“Strong investments to increase access to mental health care for all Michiganders, especially in underserved communities, and the financing needed to increase the number of Michiganders entering the behavioral health field. “Governor Whitmer is building on her track record of ensuring Michiganders have what they need to live full, healthy and productive lives,” said Sheehan. he said.
After discussions last summer with behavioral health officials and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) director, the department shared the leadership's thoughts on the future of care.
Bob Nijkamp, vice president and chief operating officer of Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, said last summer that the need for behavioral health services has steadily increased in recent years.
“This is especially true for children and young people. Families in crisis may find that the services they or their children need do not exist in their area or require long wait times for care. “Often,” Nijkamp said.
Whitmer mentioned improving access to health care in her book. State House Address Last month, we called attention to Michigan's efforts to codify elements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into state law.
“While some in Washington sought to repeal the ACA and take away health care for children, seniors, and working families, we stood by you like a rock in Michigan. We will protect your treatment no matter what,” Whitmer said.
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