Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) Study on Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage:
MHCC was charged with gathering data to create a Behavioral Health Workforce Investment Fund Report as a result of legislation that was passed with the support of MOTA (among others). We are making progress! We’ve got more to do, but in every report/initiative, we are elevating OTs as behavioral health providers. In August, the Marland Health Care Commission issued a preliminary report on its recommendations regarding the Behavioral Health Workforce Investment Fund. There was no mention OTs. MOTA wrote in about the importance of including OTs. And we’ve had success: The report now specifically defines recognizes OTs as behavioral health providers.
The report specifically thanks MOTA for submitting comments. Go MOTA! The report flags that compensation is the top factor in recruitment and retention. They estimated that $50 million would be allocated to Community Behavioral Health Talent Attraction and Retention Grants which would apply to OT among other providers. You can read the full report, including MOTA’s advocacy by going to this link: Full report
This success was led by our lobbyists from Public Policy Partners. Please share the good news and encourage your colleagues to become MOTA members so that this kind of work can continue!
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