Resolve, To Increase Funding for Evidence-based Therapies for Treating Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period because MaineCare reimbursement rates for evidence-based therapies for treating emotional and behavioral problems in children have not been adjusted in 8 years and are insufficient to enable some providers to continue to provide services; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Department of Health and Human Services to increase MaineCare reimbursement for outpatient psychosocial treatments for children. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services shall increase reimbursement rates under rule Chapter 101: MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapters II and III, Sections 28, 65 and 97 for evidence-based therapies for treating emotional and behavioral problems in children. These therapies include multisystemic therapy, multisystemic therapy for problem sexualized behavior and functional family therapy. These rates must be sufficient to cover all costs to the provider of delivering the services, including additional training, to attract enough providers to clear waiting lists for services and to attract providers to all areas of the State, including underserved rural areas. These rates must be set on a per case per week basis.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

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This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services to increase the MaineCare reimbursement rates for evidence-based therapies for treating emotional and behavioral problems in children to rates that cover all costs to the provider of delivering the services, including additional training, clear waiting lists and attract providers to all areas of the State, including underserved rural areas. These rates must be set on a per case per week basis.