Maine proposes crisis centers for children's mental health needs

Maine lawmakers are being urged to address the issue of children stuck in hospital emergency departments for long periods. A new bill, sponsored by state Sen. Joseph Baldacci, aims to create three "crisis centers" to help reduce these waiting times. Health experts spoke in support of the bill during a recent committee hearing. The "crisis centers" would provide a place for children after they leave the hospital while waiting for mental health treatment. The bill, known as L.D. 791, also proposes increasing the state’s mental health service capacity by adding a new psychiatric residential treatment facility. Currently, many children wait for months for placement in mental health facilities due to high demand and a lack of services in Maine. The bill would also improve Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals that care for these children. No one opposed the bill during the hearing. However, the director of MaineCare Services noted that the Mills administration already has similar initiatives planned. Many advocates are hopeful for change. One mother, whose daughter spent over 300 days in the hospital waiting for treatment, expressed her support, saying more facilities would greatly benefit these children. Experts emphasized that keeping children in emergency rooms is not only counterproductive but also harmful to their health. An average stay for pediatric behavioral health patients in emergency departments has risen significantly in the past year, highlighting the need for urgent action. In response to a federal lawsuit about the treatment of children in Maine, the state is required to prove it is providing adequate services. However, some officials, including the MaineCare director, believe this new bill may not lead to meaningful change, as the root issue is still a shortage of mental health providers and placement options.