Ohio sees growth in new behavioral health crisis centers, but access barriers persist

New behavioral health crisis centers are opening across Ohio, in part because of $90 million in COVID-relief fund spending. But some of the facilities are struggling with staffing challenges and other barriers to care created by changes taking place at the federal level (Source: “As new behavioral health crisis centers open across Ohio, some face challenges in welcoming patients,” Ohio Newsroom via WOSU Public Media, Sept. 3).

Federal data included in a HPIO policy brief on mental healthcare access shows 75 out of Ohio’s 88 counties have a shortage of mental health care providers. But the state is working to change this. Last month, it announced an $18 million scholarship and internship program for graduate students pursuing behavioral health degrees in Ohio.

Despite investments from the state, changes at the federal level are making it harder and more expensive for people to access health insurance — and could also create financial challenges for providers.
Last year’s federal congressional budget reconciliation bill, often called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” is expected to reduce Medicaid payments to providers by billions.