Governor's Budget Shows Strong Support for NAMI Montana's Consistent Six and Montana State Hospital

Earlier this month, Governor Greg Gianforte announced his budget.  It is a massive, multi-section document. In order to wrap our heads around it, we usually also have to have a couple of legislative meetings that describe some of the more nuanced sections.

 This budget was even trickier because it combines with recommendations and funding initiatives from the 872 Commission to fund behavioral health in Montana.

 After the dust settled, we were able to determine that the "Consistent Six" that NAMI Montana asked to be funded was really well represented in the Governor's budget. The "Consistent Six" was the list of mental health service needs that were identified by both the Legislature in the last Interim and the 872 Commission in its analysis.  

• Stabilize behavioral health care financing through Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs)

• Expand forensic mental health evaluations

• Strengthen school-based mental health care

• Use acuity-based payments to help Montana mental health care clinicians serve youth at-risk of being sent out of state

• Expand group homes

• Expand mental health crisis beds
   

We were especially excited about the stabilization of behavioral healthcare financing through support for the CCBHC model. Adopting this model is critical to the long-term viability of Montana's outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment system. NAMI Montana is working on a related bill for CCBHCs at the Legislature with Representative Jane Gillette. 

 Additionally, Governor Gianforte included a major funding increase for Montana State Hospital to address much needed facility upgrades and support for Medicaid Expansion. We are still hoping for a little bit more guidance on the funding plan for mental health crisis beds.

These are critical funding wins with the Governor's budget.  If you get a chance, please consider calling or messaging Governor Gianforte and thanking him for funding "NAMI Montana's Consistent Six, Medicaid Expansion, and Montana State Hospital improvements."

You can leave a message for Governor Gianforte by calling (406) 444-3111 or by web form at https://governor.mt.gov/contact/

Thank you!

Matt 

Matt Kuntz JD, MHA

Executive Director

NAMI Montana