In April 2013, Governor O’Malley revoked $7.2 million in funding from his supplemental budget that could have been used for providing additional mental health services around the state. The funds came from Medicaid mental health surplus payments that advocates argue should have been used to fund community psychiatry clinics throughout Maryland
Much of the budget surplus had already been allocated to health care providers by the General Assembly before the Governor revoked the funding. The General Assembly had earmarked $5.1 million in funds to be used to increase the number of community psychiatry clinics. The additional $2.1 million was to be used to raise the pay of psychiatrists, who generally receive lower reimbursement rates than other medical providers in the state.
Fortunately, the governor did approve a $5 million increase in the 2014 appropriation for mental health services. But, mental health providers and access to mental health services will still feel pinch in the current fiscal year.
We have significant experience representing clients seeking disability benefits. For more information and how you may be impacted, contact one of our Disability Benefits attorneys, Elliott Andalman and Peter Casciano.