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H 4897

An Act improving access to community behavioral health centers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Lisa Field and 2 co-sponsors

The bill aims to improve access to Massachusetts community behavioral health centers by boosting capacity, funding, and streamlined access to reduce wait times and expand services.

Reporting date extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026
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Bill Summary · H 4897

Summary of H.4897 (194th Legislature) — An Act improving access to community behavioral health centers

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose, key provisions, affected parties, and timeline as indicated in the available action history and bill data.

Purpose and overall intent

  • The bill aims to improve access to community behavioral health centers in Massachusetts. It focuses on enhancing service delivery, accessibility, and utilization of community-based behavioral health resources to support individuals with mental health and substance use concerns.

Key provisions and changes (as introduced/reported)

  • The exact statutory text is not provided here, but the bill’s title and related committee actions indicate:
    • Strengthening capacity and accessibility of community behavioral health centers.
    • Potential enhancements to funding mechanisms or reimbursement structures to support centers’ operations.
    • Possible provisions to streamline access, reduce wait times, and expand service hours or service mix in community settings.
    • Emphasis on alignment with state behavioral health goals, possibly integrating with broader care coordination, crisis response, and preventive services.
  • The bill has undergone committee review with a focus on Health Care Financing, suggesting that financing, funding authorization, or fiscal accountability are central elements.

Who would be affected

  • Community behavioral health centers and their administrative staff, clinicians, and support personnel.
  • Individuals seeking behavioral health services, including mental health and substance use treatment, who rely on community-based options.
  • Payers including the state’s Medicaid program and other funding sources, given the involvement of the Committee on Financial Services and the subsequent referral to Health Care Financing.
  • Local governments or health systems partnering with community centers to deliver services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Action history indicates:
    • January 8, 2026: The bill was reported favorably by the committee and referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing, with a new draft (H1276) circulated.
    • January 8, 2026: The committee on Financial Services reported the bill (likely with amendments) and then routed to Health Care Financing.
    • January 8, 2026: A new draft version (H1276) was introduced or circulated during committee processes.
    • July 9, 2026: The reporting date was extended to Thursday, December 31, 2026, indicating continued consideration or potential further work by the committee.
  • Sponsorship:
    • Co-sponsors: Jim O’Day, Mike Kushmerek, Lisa Field.
  • Next steps (typical for this stage):
    • If advanced by the Health Care Financing Committee, the bill would move to the full chamber for debate and vote.
    • Possible amendments could address funding levels, program eligibility, reporting requirements, and implementation timelines.

Potential impact considerations

  • Access and wait times: If enacted, the bill could reduce barriers to entry and shorten wait times for behavioral health services in community settings.
  • Financial sustainability: Funding and reimbursement reforms could influence center operations, potentially expanding services or personnel.
  • Care integration: Enhancements may promote better integration of community centers with broader state health systems, crisis services, and preventive care.
  • Accountability and transparency: New financing or reporting requirements could increase oversight of how funds are used to expand access.

If you would like, I can incorporate the bill’s exact language and specific fiscal provisions once the official text is available, and provide a line-by-line mapping of provisions to their effects.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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