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House Appropriations hears Department of Mental Health budget with proposed bed cuts, 988 funding request and CCBHC rollout
Summary
The House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 28 heard the Department of Mental Health present its FY2027 budget, highlighting a proposal to reduce Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital (VPCH) capacity from 25 to 21 beds, a request to spend up to $1 million for 988 operations if funds flow through the state waterfall, and continued rollout of CCBHC certification.
The House Appropriations Committee heard the Department of Mental Health present its FY2027 budget on Jan. 28, focusing on staffing shortages, crisis system investments and several proposed program reductions.
Commissioner Emily Hawes told the committee that the department conducted a line-by-line review of its budget aligned with Vision 2030 and aims to focus spending on Medicaid-required costs, evidence-based investments and efficient programs. "Our mission is to promote mental health as a vital part of overall well-being by advancing prevention, early intervention, and recovery focused care," Hawes said.
Hawes reported staffing pressures across the system and said the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital (VPCH) currently has a vacancy rate of about 37% in direct-care floor positions. She said the hospital's census has been operating at roughly 20–21 patients rather than its 25-bed licensed capacity and that the department proposes reducing the hospital's…
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