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HHS defends DMH funding shifts, says dollars refocused to inpatient and stabilization efforts
Summary
EOHHS told the committee the Department of Mental Health budget increases overall but includes targeted reductions in some case‑management functions while directing funds to stabilize contracted workforce, emergency capacity and court‑ordered psychiatric placements.
Secretary Kate Walsh and other administration witnesses addressed questions about the Department of Mental Health (DMH) funding and workforce. Walsh said the DMH budget is roughly $1.2 billion and that House 1 includes a 7% increase overall; she disputed characterizations that DMH was being cut across the board.
Walsh said House 1 includes funding increases for rate stabilization for contracted DMH workers and that many of the people affected by the proposed changes are case managed elsewhere (for example, by MassHealth accountable care organizations). She said the intent of some reallocations was to create openings for new patients and to expand emergency capacity for people with acute need, noting a sharp rise in court‑ordered psychiatric placements.
Senator Joe Pomfret and other lawmakers asked about how DMH will guarantee ongoing services for people served by case managers if staffing levels fall, and about the effect on community providers. Walsh said the budget decisions attempt to direct resources to the most clinically urgent needs and to stabilize front‑line wages; she added that Commissioner Brooke Doyle (who was expected to testify later) would address operational details.
The administration characterized the changes as ‘‘hard choices’’ prompted by shifting demand, vacancy rates after COVID and growing numbers of court referrals for inpatient psychiatric care. Lawmakers pressed for more clarity and emphasized concern for providers and clients who depend on case management.
