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Advocates warn BRFAA cuts would stall CCBHC rollout and shrink school mental‑health services
Summary
Behavioral‑health providers and advocates urged the committee to reject BRFAA language that would delay the CCBHC demonstration and cut $20 million from a school mental‑health consortium, warning that the reductions risk service loss, workforce attrition and greater long‑term costs.
Nicole Greiner, public policy director for the Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland, told the committee language in SB 284 would weaken the Department of Health's obligation to proceed with the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) demonstration and delay Maryland's application until FY2029. "CBH urges you to reject language weakening MDH's obligation to move forward with the demonstration for f y 26," she said.
Dan Martin of the Mental Health Association of Maryland added that the BRFAA proposal would reduce the consortium for coordinated community supports by $20 million (a 20% cut), which he said would shrink school‑based mental health services and cause staff losses. "A 20% cut to school mental health care funding is not trimming a line item. It is pulling support away from children in crisis," testified Megan O'Brien of EveryMind, which runs consortium services in 13 schools.
Advocates cited Maryland program data: Greiner said Maryland's five CCBHCs documented shorter hospital stays and fewer emergency room visits; Martin pointed to local impact statements shared with committee members. They argued delaying or weakening the demonstration would forfeit enhanced federal Medicaid matching funds and risk losing trained clinicians as grants expire.
Committee members asked whether flat provider rates effectively amount to cuts; witnesses replied that flat funding amid rising operating costs reduces provider capacity. No formal action was taken; advocates urged the committee to restore or protect the affected line items in markup.
What happens next: Sponsors and committee staff said they will consider amendments; advocates asked members to preserve the FY26 commitments so Maryland can access federal match and maintain existing services.
