Thanks to our bill sponsors, Rep. Teresa Tanzi and Sen. Alana DiMario, families with commercial insurance will be able to access Mobile & Response Stabilization Services (MRSS) and avoid costly, unneccessary trips to the Emergency Room.  With a state behavioral health system designed for children on Medicaid and 2/3 of children and youth in Washington County with commercial insurance,  Washington County has long been underserved with countless families unable to access needed mental health services for their children. To secure needed crisis services for all children in RI, the state must think beyond time-limited federal grants and Medicaid billing.  Requiring commercial insurers to pay for crisis services is a step in the right direction. Recognizing the benefits, Blue Cross Blue Shied RI began paying for MRSS last year. Now other insurers will pay for these services as well.  Additional legislation passed making MRSS a “Stand Alone Service” to assure stable funding and access to families statewide.  Any family in crisis can request these services by contacting contacting the state’s Crisis Lifeline at 988 or contacting Family Service of RI or Tides Family Services directly.  

Other legislative wins for Washington County include continued funding for mental health and triage services for obstetric and pediatric providers through PediPRN and MomPRN. A disappointing loss this session was legislation requiring commercial insurance coverage for Community Health Worker services, another bill sponsored by Rep. Tanzi and Sen. DiMario at the Coalition’s request.  See more details in our Session Recap below.