AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill sponsored by Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, that would increase the availability of childrens behavioral health services in rural parts of the state.
LD 1236 would require the Department of Health and Human Services to offer grants or incentives to children's behavioral health providers to expand programs into underserved areas.
"Providing behavioral health services in a rural state like Maine is especially difficult," said Madigan. "The travel time is long and the work is often emotionally taxing. We need to do everything in our power to encourage providers to go to these areas, which are often underserved due to their geographical location. Im proud that the committee voted to move this bill forward."
The bill faces votes in the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Madigan is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents House District 64, which includes parts of Waterville and Winslow. She serves on the Legislatures Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Madigan], c. 305-965-2744