Melinda Asbury, MD, PhD | Support HB271

As both the Chief Executive and Chief Medical Officer of a NH-based Community Mental Healthcare Center, I can attest first-hand to the workforce shortage within the mental health sector. In addition to workforce limitations, we are also facing financial challenges due to the state's reimbursement rates and its non-reimbursement of non-licensed practitioners. Removing the proctored examination requirement would improve the ability of CMHCs to increase the revenue stream. This subsequent increase in revenue would allow these centers to hire more therapists, i.e. increase their capacity to secure a larger workforce, and thus serve more individuals with mental health needs.