As a resident of Prince William County, I thank the DMAS for so quickly readying the proposed 1115 Serious Mental Illness Amendment Application for comment and submission. Our community is proud that the Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) will be the first center implementing Gov. Youngkin's "Right Help. Right Now" initiative and that this Waiver Amendment will assure that walk-in urgent behavioral health care and extended stabilization units are available for youth and adult patients, regardless of ability to pay.

Short-term stabilization beds are essential to the 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. Without Medicaid reimbursement, the center would cost Commonwealth and county taxpayers much more.

I also hope that Virginia will recognize the IMD exception for persons under the age of 21 and incorporate and expand Medicaid coverage for inpatient psychiatric services for children and youth.

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

Sincerely,

Robert Allen

15505 Laurel Ridge Road

Dumfries, VA 22025

ragjar70@gmail.com