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Senators press DHS on 988 expansion, proposed 40¢ telecom fee and Bamboo Health contract
Summary
At the May 6 hearing, DHS defended a proposed 40¢ monthly telecom fee to fund a $67M annual 988 crisis system and described a previously awarded Bamboo Health contract expansion for 988 dispatch and electronic referrals; senators sought assurances funds will be dedicated and competitively structured.
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee questioned DHS officials on two related items: funding and implementation of an expanded 988 suicide and crisis lifeline and a budget line explicitly naming Bamboo Health for additional 988 functionality.
Commissioner Sarah Edelman said 988 has handled more than 56,000 calls since its July 2022 launch and that full implementation of the state's 988 crisis continuum will cost about $67 million annually. To fund the expansion, DHS proposed a 40¢ monthly telecom fee per line that Edelman said would generate roughly $61 million annually and that…
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