Maryland lawmakers and mental health advocates are requesting increased behavioral health funding for 2027, even as the governor’s proposed budget reduces mental health funding and freezes reimbursement rates for providers.
Funding Requests
The Behavioral Health System Baltimore and the Mental Health Association of Maryland are asking the General Assembly to restore $20 million for school mental health care, an amount that could fund approximately 140 behavioral health workers. The organizations are also proposing a 3% increase for reimbursement rates and a commitment to expand behavioral health clinics throughout Maryland.
Legislative Support
Senator Katie Fry Hester (D) emphasizes the need for investment in school-based mental health services. According to Fry Hester, “One in five people experience mental illness every year and one in eight have a substance use disorder.” She has long advocated for investment in school-based mental health services to ensure young people can access care early and remains committed to advancing policy and budget solutions for access to care.
Healthcare System Challenges
Maryland is facing significant challenges in mental health care delivery. The Trump administration has made substantial cuts to health-related grants and programs. The state is also confronting a behavioral health worker shortfall that could grow as high as 38,000 by 2028. These workforce gaps compound the difficulties in expanding mental health services across the state.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2026-02-25/lawmakers-advocates-push-maryland-general-assembly-for-more-mental-health-funding