Statements in Support: 

• The Autism Alliance of Michigan (6/3/21) supports the increased accountability, which belongs to one entity. The creation of BHAC demonstrates balanced geographic representation, representation of persons receiving care, representation by MDHHS, and a statewide view of MH services. The new structure will help those who are moderately affected. Better coordination of care is important to the autism community. To serve better

• The House Fiscal Agency (6/3/21) estimates a savings of $70 million in administrative costs.

• The Michigan Health and Hospital Association (6/4/21) supports the concept of the legislation and urges the Legislature to form a workgroup to address shortcomings of the current system.

• Community Mental Health Association of Michigan: The bill breaks down barriers to accessing mental health services offered by Michigan’s community mental health system. 

• Mental Health Association of Michigan (6/3/21) supports the bill:

  • The bill would create uniformity and reduce administrative costs. It will utilize a single IT platform, integrate administrative functions, and remove managed care and administrative functions duplication. 

  • An opportunity to truly establish a person-centered public behavioral health system.

  • Help to overcome systemic challenges. 

  • Lead to fewer bureaucratic layers for those being serviced and empower DHHS to oversee the core functions of the systems (rate setting, clinical guidelines). 

• Mental Health Association President Marianne Huff also supported HB 4925 and other bills in the overall package, HB 4926, HB 4927, HB 4928, and HB 4929, saying the bills would help the system overcome systemic challenges during the years.

 

Statements Against: 

• The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan argues that the bill eliminates a core tenet of Michigan’s public system-the local public community mental health system serving, on behalf of the state, as 

  • Mental health safety

  • Service network organizer

  • Partner with a large number of health and human services collaboratives. 

• Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township) asked: What role will community mental health play if this bill passes?

• Christine Gebhard, CEO of North Country Community Mental Health Authority (6/17/21), asks the bill’s sponsors not to dismantle the decades of investment in an infrastructure that is “nationally recognized as one of the most innovative, comprehensive, and community-based systems in the country.” Argues that the bill will not increase access to care or solve workforce shortages (e.g., direct care workers). States that there is already an entity that oversees the MH and SU State plan; improves BH outcomes; serves as advocates; and monitors, reviews, and evaluates the allocation and adequacy of mental health and substance use services within the State. HB 4925 would unnecessarily create a Behavioral Health Oversight Council when, perhaps, it is the existing Advisory Council that needs restructuring and increased accountability.