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Pathways warns of privatization risk, asks county to back Rural Frontier Caucus
Summary
Pathways CEO Matt Maskard told the county commission that Medicaid comprises more than 90% of the providerbudget, outlined risks from pending state policy changes and sought a county resolution supporting rural-control language; commissioners agreed to have staff draft documents for later ratification.
Matt Maskard, identified in the meeting as CEO of Pathways, gave the providerannual report and urged the board to support advocacy aimed at protecting local control of community mental-health services. "Medicaid is over 90% of our budget," Maskard said, warning that pending state policy changes tied to HR 1 and a possible new request for proposal (RFP) could shift service structure and funding.
Maskard described a regional effort among the five Upper Peninsula community mental-health authorities to send a letter in opposition to proposals that would centralize control and potentially uncouple long-standing capped local contributions. He asked the board to support a Rural Frontier Caucus document and to authorize staff to prepare a resolution or letter for ratification at the next meeting. Commissioners responded favorably and directed staff to draft the resolution and associated materials for subsequent board action.
Maskard also flagged an advocacy package including an advisory council and rural-definition language to protect frontier communities; he noted Pathwayswork on recruitment, its platinum organizational award and reliance on Medicaid and state programs. The board did not adopt the resolution that night but agreed to have staff and civil counsel draft the language and bring it back for formal consideration.
