State Budget
Budget Priorities and Implications for People with Behavioral Health Conditions
MAMH’s priorities for the state’s FY25 budget include investments in promotion and prevention initiatives, evidence-based treatment, and recovery supports and services to benefit people with behavioral health conditions.
Access to Care
Access to Care
| Line Item | Budget Priority |
|---|---|
DMH 5046-0000 Adult Mental Health and Supports Services |
MAMH requests $19M, a $3.75M increase in funding over FY24 GAA and level funding with FY25 H2, for the Department for Mental Health (DMH) Adult Emergency Department (ED) Diversion Initiative |
EOHHS 4000-0300 |
MAMH requests $2.5M, a $1.25M increase in funding over FY24 GAA and a $2.5M increase in funding over FY25 H2, to implement the pilot of the Middlesex County Restoration Center |
EOEA 9110-1640 Geriatric Mental Health Services |
MAMH requests $4.5M, a $2M increase in funding over FY24 GAA and a $1.99M increase in funding over FY25 H2, for Elder Mental Health Outreach Teams (EMHOTs) |
Housing
Housing
| Line Item | Budget Priority |
|---|---|
DHCD 7004-9033 Rental Subsidy Program for DMH clients |
MAMH requests $21.548M, a $5M increase in funding over FY24 GAA and FY25 H2, for the Department of Mental Health Rental Subsidy Program (DMH RSP) |
DMH 5046-2000 Statewide Homelessness Support Services |
MAMH requests $27.624M, level funding with FY24 GAA and a $1M increase in funding over FY25 H2, for the Safe Haven Program |
Massachusetts FY24 State Budget
On August 9, 2023, Governor Healey signed the $56 billion FY24 budget bill with $272.42 million of vetoes. The Legislature overrode 23 vetoes, restoring about $80 million and finalizing the FY24 budget on October 5, 2023. You can learn more about MAMH's budget priorities and the final funding amounts secured below.
Massachusetts FY24 9C Budget Cuts
On January 8, 2024, Governor Healey announced $375 million in fiscal year 2024 budget cuts, including:
- A $13 million cut to aid for the lowest-income children and families in the Commonwealth, thus eliminating the 10% cash assistance grant increases
- A $5.25 million cut to Department of Public Health (DPH) behavioral health supports, specifically the DPH Loan Repayment Program; and
- A $5 million cut for Department of Mental Health (DMH) loan forgiveness.
The Lift Our Kids Coalition is organizing efforts to urge Governor Healey to reverse the cuts to cash assistance. Click here to send an e-mail to her.
After the reduction, there remains $8 million for DPH behavioral health supports/ loan repayment program. Alternate funding sources include the Nursing Facility Forgivable Loan Program, Loan Repayment Assistance Program for Human Service Workers, and Behavioral Health and Addiction Services Loan Forgiveness.
Five million remains for DMH loan forgiveness. Still intact is the $192M Behavioral Health Trust Fund appropriations, $100 million for student loan repayment assistance, $25 million for scholarships, $25 million for stipends, and $20M for clinical supervision incentives.
The Federal COVID Relief/American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Spending Bill
The FY24 Conference Committee budget includes $192M to appropriate federal COVID Relief/ARPA dollars in the Behavioral Health Trust Fund to enhance and expand access to mental and behavioral health supports and services, including investments in loan repayment assistance and scholarship programs for health professionals.
MAMH served on the Behavioral Health Advisory Commission, which made recommendations on the disbursement of money in the fund. MAMH also submitted written testimony with recommendations for how to invest the dollars in the fund.
Interested in getting involved? Learn more about efforts to expand access to behavioral health care, decriminalize mental health, and promote wellness, and Take Action here!