The House Ways and Means Committee heard SB 1 on behavioral health matters. One of the bill’s authors, Sen. Crider, and the House sponsor, Rep. Vermilion, introduced the bill and answered the Committee’s questions. The bill 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.
- DMHA to establish/maintain a toll-free help line which provides support and resource referrals to individuals.
- The Indiana Behavioral Health commission is established and defines its membership.
- The “9-8-8 crisis hotline center” is called the “9-8-8 crisis response center”.
There was much discussion about possible funding sources including the cigarette tax, alcohol tax, or a $1 fee added to phone bills, but the bill was not amended to include a funding plan. The bill passed 24 – 0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/senate/1