AUGUSTA - Rep. Colleen Madigan, D-Waterville, introduced legislation Monday that would increase the availability of children's behavioral health services in rural parts of the state.
LD 1236 would require the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to expand children's behavioral health services in rural areas of Maine by raising the reimbursement rate for case managers to account for the additional travel time required to reach these remote communities. DHHS would also be required to implement the family team meetings plan that was established in the Maine Family First Prevention Services State Plan, which connects the Office of Child and Family Services with families to craft plans and make decisions for the well-being of at-risk children.
"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, as they've often been underserved due to their geographical location."
The Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee will hold a work session on the bill 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