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DHS reports expanded behavioral-health access and steep reductions in ASH forensic backlog
Summary
DHS briefed senators on Medicaid behavioral-health transformation: an expanded provider network, a beneficiary support helpline and a major reduction in Arkansas State Hospital’s overdue forensic evaluations—from 465 overdue cases at the start of reforms to 92 actionable overdue cases—credited to contracting with community mental health centers and operational changes.
Department of Human Services officials told the Senate Public Health Committee that Medicaid behavioral-health transformation has expanded access across the state and that reforms at Arkansas State Hospital (ASH) have dramatically reduced a backlog of forensic evaluations.
Jay Hill, who works in DHS’s Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services, said the agency launched a beneficiary support and behavioral-health helpline and added outpatient behavioral-health services to Medicaid, including infant mental health (dyadic services for children under 4 and a parent). Hill said the number of independently licensed clinicians certified under the new program…
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