Sen. Breen’s bill to increase wages for healthcare providers passes committee

AUGUSTA—A bill introduced by Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, to raise reimbursement rates for healthcare workers was approved on Monday by the Health and Human Services Committee.

The bill — LD 593, Resolve, To Stabilize the Behavioral Health Workforce and Avert More Expensive Treatments — will increase reimbursement rates for providers of Section 65 by 8% and stipulates that this money will be directed to employee salaries and not to administrative or managerial costs.

“Section 65 provides important services that require a dedicated, competent staff.  If Maine is indeed serious about retaining its workers in this industry and attracting more, it must create a consistent and sustainable system in which our critical health care workforce can earn a living wage,” said Sen. Breen. “Exit interviews have revealed that some workers leave this field in order to work at Wal-Mart or McDonald’s to make the same wage for much easier work. I find this unacceptable.

Section 65 includes a number of services for Maine people suffering from behavioral health issues. It administers medication management to help patients with prescriptions, oversees medically-assisted treatment for substance abuse and provides home- and community based treatment for children in order to keep them living with their families, among many other initiatives.

The bill now goes to the full Legislature for votes on its passage.

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