Department of Mental Health

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of Bay State residents of all ages. MHA engages with DMH to educate the department’s leaders and staff concerning mental and behavioral health issues, including regulations that affect Massachusetts hospitals and other care providers. MHA is a strong supporter of behavioral health parity, which calls for mental illnesses to be treated – and covered by health insurance – at the same level as physical illnesses, injuries and conditions.
02.17.2020  | Senate Passes Mental Health Parity Bill
The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a sweeping mental health reform bill last Thursday that takes a large step towards "parity."
11.25.2019  | How Would You Improve the Behavioral Health System?
The state wants to improve the ambulatory behavioral health system and is asking the healthcare sector and the public for ideas on how to make it happen.
11.18.2019  | State Unveils Coordinated Plan to Ease ED Boarding
A new Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admissions Policy, or EPIA 2.0, builds on the original EPIA that was released in February 2018.
07.22.2019  | DMH Issues Final Rule on Licensing, Operations
The Department of Mental Health has amended the regulations relating to its oversight of the licensing and operation of mental health facilities.
04.15.2019  | DMH Proposes New Regulations on its Oversight of Facilities
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) released proposed revisions to its regulations governing DMH’s oversight of mental health facilities.
02.25.2019  | State Government, Hospitals Address SUD Step by Step
Several new Massachusetts policies are aiding the collective fight against the opioid epidemic.
01.28.2019  | Baker Files FY20 Budget Proposal; Eyes Tax on Opioids
Governor Charlie Baker last Wednesday released a $42.7 billion FY2020 state budget proposal that among other things maintains level MassHealth provider reimbursement rates,
01.07.2019  | MHA Releases Medication for Addiction Treatment Guidelines
MHA has released guidelines to assist hospitals develop appropriate programs to administer and/or prescribe Medication for Addiction Treatment in their EDs or satellite emergency facilities.
10.22.2018  | Behavioral Health is at Risk from Question 1
Behavioral beds will close if Question 1 passes and there are not enough RNs available to fulfill the staffing mandates.
09.17.2018  | “Back of Envelope” Study Reaches Inaccurate Cost Conclusions
A nurse ratio cost study that the MNA released last week has been described as academically and scientifically unsound.
07.23.2018  | ED Boarding Would Worsen if Ratio Ballot Question Passed
The Boston Globe had a strong article last week by reporter Liz Kowalczyk highlighting the ongoing problem of ED “boarding.”
02.12.2018  | DMH Expedited Psych Inpatient Admissions Policy Goes Into Effect
A statewide initiative to address ED boarding of patients needing inpatient psychiatric care has gone into effect.
10.31.2017  | The HEALTH Act
An Act Furthering Health Empowerment and Affordability by Leveraging Transformative Health Care (the HEALTH Act)
10.30.2017  | The-Multi-Billion-Costs-of-Excessive-Regulation
While debate in Massachusetts and in Washington focus on healthcare costs and healthcare access, a more general question merits attention: In the incessant effort to regulate all aspects of the healthcare community, is the state creating a regulatory
07.31.2017  | HB110 Ensuring the Safety of Residents of Facilities Under the Authority of the DMH and DDD
HB110 An Act Relative to Ensuring the Safety of Residents of Facilities Under the Authority of the Department of Mental Health & the Department of Developmental Disabilities
06.19.2017  | HB3498 Improving the Mental Health Examination Process of Inmates at Places of Detention
Improving the Mental Health Examination Process of Inmates at Places of Detention

Resources

Click on the links below for easy access to important information related to state healthcare issues and advocacy.


Visit the Commonwealth of Massachusetts websites below to find information on legislative hearings and other meetings of interest to the healthcare community.


To guide your navigation of the legislative process and assist your advocacy efforts, please visit the following state websites: