Maine’s Failure to Act on Red Flag Law and Mental Health Services Leaves Lives at Risk

The recent failure of Maine lawmakers to act on a red flag law is a monumental failure that will cost lives. Additionally, our state has once again chosen not to fund a bid for a waiver to outdated federal restrictions on the use of Medicaid funds for mental health services. If we were to secure this waiver, similar to what we did for substance abuse treatment, we would have access to federal funds to help save lives.

Last year, Sen. Joe Baldacci’s L.D. 445 passed both the House and the Senate and was the top priority of the Health and Human Services Committee, but it was never funded. It is crucial to prioritize treatment before tragedy rather than waiting for tragedy before seeking treatment. The lack of action by Maine on this issue is shortsighted and discriminatory, and it has already cost lives and will continue to do so.

The federal Institute for Mental Diseases exclusion law, established in 1965, is a national security crisis as it denies federal funds for essential mental health services. Maine prides itself on leading, but in the absence of state-level action, it is important to urge Maine’s congressional delegation to collectively support a bill to end this discrimination nationwide. Since Maine was unable to fund a waiver bill, there is a critical need for action from the congressional delegation to assist Mainers and others across the country. Joe Pickering Jr., Chair of the Truth Tear Down this Wall Committee in Bangor has raised awareness on this important issue.