MENTAL HEALTH GROUP NAMES HUBBARD LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR
Friday, June 16, 2006
The Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland (CBH) presented Delegate James Hubbard with its 2006 Legislator of the Year Award at its Annual Meeting on June 15.
CBH is the professional association for Maryland’s network of community mental health programs that serve the 90,000 children and adults who use the public mental health system.
“Jim has been an advocate for many years for people with mental illnesses and the mental health community,” said CBH Executive Director Herb Cromwell. “This award is long overdue.”
During the 2006 General Assembly session, Del. Hubbard played a key role in getting a bill through the House that requires an annual cost of living adjustment in reimbursement rates the state pays for community mental health and developmental disabilities services. In addition, he sponsored HB98 and HB771 requiring studies of the adequacy of the rates for child and adolescent psychiatric rehabilitation services and Therapeutic Behavioral Services respectively; HB1467, the Maryland Cares bill to improve Maryland’s capacity to address problems with the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program; HB1625 prevents the state from publicizing personal information about people with disabilities who live in licensed community residences; HB955 allowing the State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists to consider reciprocity for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors licensed in another state; HB1574 requiring the state health department to give advance notice of proposed changes in the Medicaid program. In light of new options available to states under the federal “Deficit Reduction Act”; HB1594 expanding the agenda of a state workgroup that is recommending ways to end the cycle of re-incarceration of individuals with mental illness into jails and prisons, among others.
Del. Hubbard received the award before an audience of CBH member agency leaders. Prince George’s County member agencies include Vesta, GUIDE Program, Family Service Foundation and Rehabilitation Services, Inc.
CONTACT: HERB CROMWELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR410.788.1865email: mdcbh@verizon.net
