I am concerned about the proposed changes to MaineCare that would severely limit community based services for the mentally ill. The Department of Health and Human Services claims that they would like to reserve this service for “those with serious and persistent mental illness,” despite how well or not persons with mental illness are able to function independently in the community.

I have chosen to work in the community mental health system for my entire career. I believe wholeheartedly in the compassionate and efficient system of delivering mental health care and support to individuals in their home and in their community.

MaineCareSection 17 case management services have been the cornerstone of community-based treatment for individuals. Case managers have been able to assist their clients with accessing resources in the community including housing and food; help them to understand the process of obtaining a job or continue their education, possibly with accommodations; help them to follow through with their treatment and medical appointments consistently to assist their long term recovery.

These latest proposed restrictions will completely deteriorate the fragile safety net for persons that do not meet these very restrictive guidelines to access services and supports that are the lifeline of persons that suffer from mental illness and substance abuse and are destitute, homeless and struggling.

I fear that the result of these new restrictions will again divert persons suffering from mental illnesses to institutional hospital care for treatment or to the criminal justice system because of lack of services and supports in the community.

I encourage others concerned about these proposed eligibility restrictions to community based services to voice their concerns by calling their state representative, senator or legislators on the Health and Human Services Committee in the state Legislature.

Carrie Horne, LCPC

Appleton

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