Lansing, MI – Executive Director of the Lenawee Community Mental Health Authority, Kathryn Szewczuk, was in attendance for the signing of a bill in Lansing that would increase access to mental health services.
The plan would require the state health department to update its policies and determine an individual’s ability to pay for community mental health services by following the federal poverty guidelines and utilize the federal sliding fee discount program to make services more affordable for uninsured and underinsured patients.
“Community mental health organizations around the state have expressed to me the importance of hiring and retaining mental health professionals,” said State Rep. Mary Whiteford, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. “Bureaucratic red tape within our state health department is getting in the way of important programs that help attract health care providers who agree to practice in underserved areas of Michigan. This change to Michigan law will truly help our communities.”
The change to state law aims to help Michigan compete to attract and retain medical professionals in underserved areas of Michigan.
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Featured Image: From left, Cassie Lietaert, Human Resources Manager for Centra Wellness Network; Kathryn Szewczuk, Executive Director of Lenawee Community Mental Health Authority; Joseph “Chip” Johnson, Executive Director of Centra Wellness Network; Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; State Sen. Curt VanderWall; State Rep. Mary Whiteford; Lee Belding, Legislative Director for Mary Whiteford; and Hannah Tomaszewski, Clinician for Catholic Human Services Inc. attend the bill signing ceremony at the Capitol Building.