Bucks State Rep Appointed to Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health.

The commission will allocate the $100 million to improve mental health services in Pennsylvania that was included in the 2022-23 state budget. It is also expected to take up one of Thomas’key mental health reforms, House Bill 2686 to encourage Collaborative Care Models (CCM) for mental health treatment.

Under this system, she said, a care team is led by a primary care provider and includes a consulting psychiatrist and behavioral health care manager. The team cares for a defined group of patients and closely tracks each patient’s progress using an evidence- and measurement-based care plan, the bill reads.

“While this is one idea to improve access to mental health services, by making them available at your family doctor’s office, much work remains to be done,”said Thomas.

The legislature appropriated $100 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for adult mental health programs. Per Act 54 of 2022, no funding shall be expended until enabling legislation is enacted by the General Assembly. The Commission will produce a report with funding recommendations in the coming months, officials said.

Submitted:

Commission meetings are open to the public for both in-person and remote participation. If you would like to attend remotely, please email RA-PWADULTMHCOMM@pa.gov to receive the invitation.

To view the composition of the commission please click here. 

Upcoming meeting dates are as follows:

September 1, 2022
1:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Capitol Associates Building (901 N. 7th Street, Harrisburg),
Forster Conference Room

September 8, 2022
3 p.m.; Centre County (exact location TBD)

September 15, 2022
3 p.m.; Health & Welfare Building Room 327, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg

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