ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Maryland Senate has approved a bill to make funding for community health providers more stable to provide better access to services for people suffering from mental health and substance abuse disorders.
The Senate voted 35-9 on Monday for a measure known as the "Keep the Door Open Act." It now goes to the House.
The measure indexes annual funding in the state budget to account for inflation. Advocates say the legislation is needed to attract and retain qualified licensed professionals and direct care workers.
A state fiscal analysis says about $17 million would be needed in fiscal year 2018 to provide the bill's required rate of reimbursement to providers. That goes up to about $33 million in fiscal year 2019.
