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Behavioral‑health leaders tell finance committee investments are needed to sustain community clinics and crisis services
Summary
Community behavioral‑health leaders and mental‑health advocates testified that ongoing funding for Medicaid rates, community behavioral health clinics, uncompensated care and housing is critical to reduce ER boarding and serve people in crisis.
Leaders of community mental‑health centers, advocacy groups and family members urged lawmakers to maintain or increase investments in behavioral health and to avoid policies that would lead to disenrollment from Medicaid.
Maggie Pritchard of the New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association said the system has made progress but needs sustained funding for uncompensated care, housing, Medicaid rates and community behavioral health clinics that offer integrated services. "We are happy that the governor has called for an investment in mental health, but we want to make sure you understand our priorities," she told the committee.
Speakers described strains on the crisis system: emergency‑room boarding, lack of step‑down placements and insufficient workforce. NAMI New Hampshire said yesterday dozens of adults and children were waiting in ERs for psychiatric inpatient beds; speakers urged expansion of community alternatives including supportive housing and the children's system of care.
Family members and people with lived experience described how Medicaid access and community supports were lifesaving. Testimony warned that premiums and increased drug co‑payments would interrupt treatment for people with serious mental illness and could increase costly hospitalizations.
Advocates requested dedicated funding for 988 crisis services, children's system‑of‑care resource centers and community mental‑health clinics, as well as caution on policy changes that add cost‑sharing onto vulnerable beneficiaries. The committee accepted public comment and said it would review requests as it prepares the final budget.
