In 2022, with our client the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations, we led advocacy efforts to increase mental health and substance use treatment rates paid through Medicaid and other state programs. The Appropriations Committee and legislature agreed, and providers received a 15% rate increase, after many years of advocacy to build capacity in the behavioral health system.
At Behavioral Health Specialists, an increase in demand for mental health care because of COVID-19 has grown into a waiting list of more than 100 people for one of the 58 inpatient treatment beds at the nonprofit’s sites in Norfolk and Columbus.
Senators approved all the motions offered by the Appropriations Committee to override line-item vetoes of the state’s budget adjustment package April 7. Among the provisions vetoed in LB1011, the mainline budget bill, were $51.8 million in provider rate increases in four programs within the state Department of Health and Human Services: behavioral health, child welfare, developmental disability aid and Medicaid.