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Senate committee advances bill to clean up behavioral‑health provider directories and speed access to care
Summary
The committee passed HB71 (third substitute) to improve provider directory accuracy, require updates and create single‑case access when listed providers are unavailable; stakeholders including mental‑health associations and consumer groups supported the bill while insurers warned of additional costs.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed HB71 (third substitute), a measure aimed at improving accuracy in provider directories and increasing timely access to behavioral‑health care. The committee adopted the substitute and moved the bill favorably to the Senate floor.
Sponsor testimony cited legislative auditor findings that roughly 69% of provider listings were inaccurate or outdated in commercial directories and said the bill balances insurer and provider responsibilities. The proposal requires directories be updated on a regular cadence, establishes a single‑case exception…
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