The year 2020 will bring tremendous change and opportunity in behavioral healthcare in Massachusetts. Governor Baker has proposed sweeping healthcare legislation that would prioritize and improve access to high-quality, coordinated behavioral health and primary care. In addition, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), under the leadership of Sectretary Marylou Sudders, is continuing its work toward the creation of an ambulatory behavioral health treatment that presents a no-wrong-door point of entry with real-time access to care.
On Monday, February 3rd at the Crowne Plaza in Natick, ABH hosted an Association Meeting to learn the latest news on the state of behavioral healthcare in Massachusetts. The program included a brief overview of policy changes on the horizon by ABH staff including potential federal health expansion, state ambulatory behavioral health treatment system design work, development of Senate mental health legislation, and legislative consideration of Governor Baker's health care bill, an Act to improve health care by investing in VALUE.
We were excited to then be joined by EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders who discussed the Governor's healthcare bill and the creation of an ambulatory behavioral health treatment system.
