Eastern Shore providers warn of behavioral‑health workforce collapse and ask delegation to sustain funding

Representatives of the Eastern Shore Behavioral Health Coalition told the delegation on March 6 that behavioral‑health providers across the region face a workforce crisis and steep fiscal pressure, and they asked legislators to protect and increase funding.

Katie, speaking for the coalition, said providers need predictable reimbursement and regulatory efficiencies to sustain operations. "We are hoping for a 3%, but certainly I think if anything, we want to sustain what we have," she said, urging delegates to remember rural cost structures and travel distances when evaluating fee‑for‑service proposals.

Speakers detailed specific programs and figures. Jessica Toole (Caroline County Health Department) said the statewide consortium on coordinated community supports had a $100,000,000 budget last year and that the current proposal appears to cut $20,000,000; she said Midshore requested $8,000,000 for FY27. Kathy Castle (CEO, ChannelMarker) described a workforce shortfall and cited an analyst projection that "by 2028 that 45 percent of our clinicians are leaving this field" without stable funding and better pay. Tina Brown (Affiliated Sante Group) presented operational data for crisis services so far this year: 4,268 crisis calls handled, 7,028 follow‑up calls, 548 youth mobile crisis dispatches, 407 adult dispatches and 174 diversions from emergency departments.

Dimitri Kavathas (HealthPort) urged the delegation to support Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) financial structures and a Medicaid demonstration, citing state data that his program reduced hospital stays and psychiatric care costs after community interventions.

For All Seasons’ Bethann Dorman asked delegates to back two bills (HB922 and SB702) to streamline regulatory processes for program expansion and to support a bill to require private insurers to reimburse supervised master’s‑level interns (a companion effort to House Bill 1094 work referenced in Q&A). Dorman said BHA processing delays can force agencies to pay double rent while waiting for approvals.

Delegates asked about licensure processing, telehealth and efficiency strategies; presenters offered to follow up with staff and said they would supply written materials and contacts. The coalition also raised concerns about BRFAA language that could shift funding responsibility for assisted outpatient treatment to localities by FY2031; delegates agreed to monitor implementation planning as the Eastern Shore is one of three priority regions for a July 1, 2026 rollout.

The delegation received the presentation and said the information would be factored into budget conversations and follow‑up meetings with providers and state agencies.