I am writing in strong support of the DMAS's proposed 1115 Serious Mental Illness Waiver Amendment Application.  This Waiver Amendment specifically references the Prince William County Crisis Receiving Center (CRC), which has been determined an IMD by DMAS.  If approved by CMS, It will help ensure that our loved ones—both adults and youth–can have timely and effective access to appropriate mental health and substance use services .  Our community is proud that this CRC will be the first center implementing Gov. Youngkin’s “Right Help, Right Now” initiative and that this Waiver Amendment will assure that in the future, walk-in behavioral health urgent care and extended stabilization units are available for youth and adults, regardless of ability to pay, throughout the Commonwealth.

 Short term stabilization beds are essential to the “No Wrong Door” mission of accepting 100% of individuals, particularly from law enforcement.  They are also intended to help prevent the need for institutional care outside the family and local community support system. Currently, our county has the largest number of residents needing to go outside our region to access inpatient care under a TDO order.  Additionally, without Medicaid reimbursement, this center would cost Commonwealth and county taxpayers 100% more and result in very expensive, fragmented care by multiple providers. 

The Crisis Now model of care should reduce the use and length of stays in ERs as well as wait times for law enforcement.  It may also reduce incarceration rates in our local ADC for persons with behavioral health issues. Co-located Community Services program support staff on site will ensure follow-up care and reduce preventable readmissions.

I also hope that Virginia will recognize the IMD exception for persons under the age of 21 (Social Security Amendment of 1972, P.L. 92-603) and incorporate and expand Medicaid coverage for inpatient psychiatric services for children and youth.

 Thank you again for this opportunity to voice my strong support for the 1115 Serious Mental Illness Amendment Application.

Sincerely,

James Pearlstein

Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE)