The House Committee on Public Health heard SB 1 on behavioral health matters sponsored by Rep. Ann Vermilion and 56 other members of the House of Representatives. One of the bill’s authors, Sen. Michael Crider, introduced the bill which provides that:
- FSSA may apply to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services: for a Medicaid state plan amendment, a waiver, or an amendment to an existing waiver to require reimbursement for eligible certified community behavioral health clinic services; or to participate in the expansion of a community mental health services demonstration program.
- The bill also requires the FHHA DMHA to establish/maintain a toll-free help line which provides support and resource referrals to individuals.
- The bill establishes the Indiana behavioral health commission and defines its membership.
- The bill changes the name of the “9-8-8 crisis hotline center” to “9-8-8 crisis response center”.
There is currently no funding attached to this bill. The bill was amended by consent to make slight changes to its wording, but the changes were not substantive.
Testimony was received in support of the bill from Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Mental Health America of Indiana and AARP, United Way of Central Indiana, the Indy Chamber, Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Indiana State Teachers Association, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, Inc., 4C Health, Radiant Health, LifeSpring Health Systems, Indiana Sheriffs’ Association, Faith in Indiana, plus several individuals whose lives and families have been impacted by loved ones with mental health issues. The amended bill passed 12 – 0.
Read the bill at https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/senate/1