Supporters urge safeguards in AI‑behavioral health bill; industry warns of overbreadth Delegate Lily Chi presented HB 883 to prohibit AI systems from misrepresenting themselves as behavioral‑health providers and to require disclosures and suicide/crisis protocols; social‑work and health groups supported the bill while tech and business groups called it overly broad and urged Utah‑style, risk‑based amendments.

Maryland's House Bill 883 is igniting a fierce debate over the role of AI in behavioral health, with advocates pushing for strict safeguards against misleading systems.

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Committee hears bill to eliminate co‑pays for collaborative behavioral health in primary care SB428 would bar Medicaid and certain state plans from imposing copays, coinsurance or deductibles for behavioral health services delivered via the collaborative care model. Supporters cite strong trial evidence and workforce benefits; MHCC and committee members asked for cost estimates.

Maryland is taking a bold step to enhance access to mental health care by proposing a bill that eliminates all out-of-pocket costs for behavioral health services in primary care.

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Legislative analysts flag risk from lower behavioral-health spending assumptions Legislative Services told the Finance Committee that the governor's budget assumes about $170 million less in behavioral-health Medicaid spending than prior projections; staff said the assumption could understate need and that updated estimates will be released next month.

A staggering $170 million cut in Maryland's behavioral-health Medicaid forecast raises serious questions about the adequacy of care for those in need.

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Community Behavioral Health Association urges Maryland not to delay CCBHC demonstration, requests $6 million bridge funding Nicole Greiner of the Community Behavioral Health Association told the Finance Committee the CCBHC model is evidence-based and that delaying Maryland’s demonstration application from FY26 to FY29 would risk rollback of access gains; she requested $6,000,000 in bridge funding to preserve capacity.

Maryland's mental health future hangs in the balance as experts warn that delaying CCBHC funding could jeopardize crucial services and access gains.

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Maryland officials say Carillon largely cleared behavioral‑health claims backlog after Optum transition Deputy Secretary Perry Briskin told the Senate Finance Committee that Maryland’s new behavioral‑health administrative services organization, Carillon, inherited tens of thousands of unpaid claims from Optum but has dramatically reduced older inventories and improved timeliness, while oversight and further reporting continue.

Maryland's new behavioral-health organization, Carillon, has slashed a massive backlog of claims from 140,000 to under 4,000 in just months, revolutionizing provider payments and call-center performance!

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Maryland health officials brief Finance Committee on CCBHC planning, seek more time to finish requirements Maryland Department of Health told the Senate Finance Committee it received a SAMHSA planning grant in December 2024, has secured a no-cost extension, and is seeking more time to complete cost reporting and certification standards before applying for the CCBHC demonstration; MDH estimates $13–$15 million to implement two CCBHCs.

Maryland health officials are pushing for more time to finalize plans for a transformative behavioral health funding model that could revolutionize care for those with serious mental illness and substance use disorders.

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Maryland budget bill reallocates $18M for behavioral health and crisis hotline services Maryland's budget bill adjusts funding for Deer’s Head Center and behavioral health initiatives.

Maryland's House Bill 350 is set to reshape the future of behavioral health services by reallocating over $23 million in funding—will it enhance care or leave vulnerable populations in the lurch?

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Maryland budget allocates $134M for behavioral health facilities and services Maryland budget approves $134.9 million for Clifton T. Perkins Hospital and Gildner Institute.

Maryland lawmakers are making a bold move to secure $134 million for vital mental health services, but will it be enough to meet the growing needs of the community?

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House Bill 869 mandates telehealth reimbursement for mental health services House Bill 869 ensures health insurers reimburse telehealth services for mental health conditions.

House Bill 869 is set to revolutionize mental health care in Maryland by ensuring telehealth services receive equal reimbursement, breaking down barriers to access for those in need.

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#MD #TelehealthAccess #MarylandBehavioralHealth #MentalHealthEquity #SubstanceUseDisorder