According to Wendy Bergeron, CEO of Possibilities Counseling Services (a Maine agency with over 300 clinical counseling affiiates), the governor has proposed a supplemental budget to close a $438 million dollar budget gap for the rest of this fiscal year and the next fiscal year. Included in this proposal is a 10% MaineCare rate reduction across the board for all services including case management and outpatient therapy. Additionally, for outpatient therapy provided to both adults and children, the governor is proposing a limit of 18 sessions per year, no exceptions or extensions.  

Ms Bergeron notes, "while we all, as providers, need to advocate for our clients and the services they need, we must empower our clients to advocate for themselves. It is when clients themselves speak about how cuts in services will affect their lives that the legislators listen." 

 

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