Advocates urge Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic support to expand access and federal match
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Summary
A provider coalition told the appropriations subcommittee that adopting the CCBHC model could expand access to behavioral health, improve care coordination and increase federal Medicaid match; advocates cited outcomes from other states including reductions in jail time and emergency visits.
Representative Clancy presented in support of funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). Jared Sanford, CEO of Valley Behavioral Health, described CCBHCs as a federal model that sets standards for access, care coordination and crisis services and can change reimbursement toward value-based payment.
Sanford cited outcome summaries from states that adopted the CCBHC model: average increases in individuals served, reductions in time spent in jail, and decreases in behavioral-health-related emergency department visits. He also noted states adopting CCBHCs can qualify for a higher federal Medicaid match rate under current federal provisions, which can bring additional federal dollars into the public behavioral health system.
Committee members did not pose further questions during the recorded exchange; presenters emphasized improved outcomes and cost offsets in jurisdictions that implemented the model. No formal commitment or vote was recorded at the hearing.
