Gov. Pillen signs statewide behavioral health bill

Gov. Pillen signs statewide behavioral health bill
Courtesy/Sen. Anna Wishart speaks at signing ceremony for LB276 — 05-25-23
May 25th, 2023 | Bob Brogan, Rural Radio Network

Lincoln, Neb. — Gov. Jim Pillen signed a piece of legislation Thursday that’s being called transformational in the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services. Pillen says the clinics created by LB276 will integrate comprehensive physical and behavioral health services in a community-based setting. Dannette Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services praised passage of the bill…

Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart’s bill would allow qualifying providers to seek daily or monthly reimbursements for certain treatments, which would allow them to hire more staff and increase access to timely care. Since the bill has an emergency clause, it takes effect immediately.

The measure represents an effort to increase access to outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment through service delivery coordination with community partners. The federally certified clinics will provide outpatient mental health and substance use services in communities across the state. Under the bill, DHHS is required to apply for a Medicaid state plan amendment through the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement the bill’s provisions by Jan. 1, 2026.
Since the bill has an emergency clause, it takes effect immediately.

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