Bridge Michigan reports that a proposed federal court settlement would expand Medicaid-covered mental health services for eligible Michigan residents younger than 21.
Settlement awaits court approval
Bridge Michigan reports that Michigan has settled a federal class-action lawsuit alleging “staggering failures” in mental health services for children and young people. The agreement has not yet been approved: a federal judge still must rule on the settlement, according to Bridge Michigan.
The lawsuit, filed by families in 2018, concerns Michigan residents younger than 21 whose intensive home- and community-based mental health services are covered by Medicaid, Bridge Michigan reports. The families alleged that the state failed to ensure that young people with behavioral, emotional or psychiatric disorders received medically necessary services required by law.
Proposed service and oversight changes
Under the proposed settlement, Michigan would expand the range of Medicaid-covered services, including home-based services, wraparound services and respite care, Bridge Michigan reports. The state also agreed to develop public outreach, including a website, to help people learn about available services.
Bridge Michigan reports that the agreement calls for expanding the workforce, collecting and publicly sharing data on service gaps, waiting periods and denials, and creating an advisory board. The board would include providers, families and children and would advise the state on progress toward the settlement’s goals.
State points to work already underway
According to Bridge Michigan, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said state leaders could not comment on pending litigation. The spokesperson said the state has already made changes, including creating a Clinical Support and Service Navigation team and launching a screening tool for specialty behavioral health eligibility.
Bridge Michigan also reports that the state funded local efforts supporting mobile teams for children in crisis and established student loan repayment and internship stipends for people training as mental health providers. Programs cited by the source include Parent Support Partners, Youth Peer Support Services, Respite, Intensive Crisis Stabilization Services and Intensive Home-based Services.
Funding and staffing questions remain
Bridge Michigan reports that the speed of further changes is uncertain because Medicaid funding is in peril and mental health workforce shortages continue. The source also reports that Michigan is working to meet commitments from an earlier settlement involving certain young people while trying to build mental health care capacity.
A hearing on the agreement is expected Aug. 27, Bridge Michigan reports. The source describes the current case as focused on mental health services, unlike an earlier lawsuit that broadly addressed Michigan’s child welfare system.
What this means for Michigan patients
If approved, the proposed settlement could affect how eligible children and families learn about and access Medicaid-covered mental health services. For those seeking treatment locally, the directory lists 55 published clinics in Michigan.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Michigan reporting on youth & families.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.