In a recent editorial, Maine lawmakers were criticized for their failure to act on the red flag law. The article highlighted the potential consequences of this inaction, emphasizing that Mainers will pay the price in lives. Additionally, the state has not pursued funding for a waiver to outdated federal restrictions on the use of Medicaid funds for mental health services.
Securing this waiver would have allowed access to federal funds and provided life-saving services. Despite the passage of Sen. Joe Baldacci’s L.D. 445 last year, which was a top priority for the Health and Human Services Committee, it was never funded.
By investing $1.3 million in state funds, Maine could have received millions in federal dollars to develop progressive treatment programs and services. However, due to lack of action by lawmakers at both the state and federal level, preventable tragedies and the loss of Maine lives have occurred as a result of this issue being left unaddressed.
The outdated federal Institute for Mental Diseases exclusion law is seen as a national security crisis, denying important federal funds for mental health services. As such, Maine should take a leadership role in addressing this issue by urging its congressional delegation to co-sponsor a bill to eliminate discrimination in the allocation of federal funds for mental health services.
Given the state’s inability to fund a waiver bill, prompt action at the federal level is necessary to help Mainers and all Americans who are affected by this critical issue. Joe Pickering Jr., Chair of Truth Tear Down This Wall Committee in Bangor emphasizes the importance of proactive measures being taken to address this issue head-on.
