As a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), I witnessed firsthand how vital mental health services are to our communities in Ohio. The recent decision by CareSource Medicaid to impose a 15% clawback on reimbursement rates for all licensed behavioral health professionals represents a crisis not just for us, but for everyone relying on these critical services. This means that instead of being reimbursed at the full rate for the work we do, we now receive only 85% of our due. This change will be applied both to new claims and retroactively, impacting services already provided.

It's alarming to think that the services many rely on daily to navigate their lives may soon become unavailable due to financial strain on providers. If mental health professionals, like myself, are unable to sustain practice due to this cut, there will be a direct impact on countless individuals and families. Beyond the obvious financial burden, this creates a ripple effect, exacerbating mental health conditions, straining families, and potentially leading to higher rates of hospitalization and crisis situations.

Additionally, this clawback comes at a time when mental health needs are soaring in demand. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has highlighted that one in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness each year. Cutting resources now is not just impractical—it’s dangerous. Ohio, being our home, should be at the forefront of supporting mental health initiatives, not undermining them. 

There's a real, actionable solution here: overturn the reimbursement cut and return to full reimbursement rates. Doing so will ensure mental health professionals can continue to provide necessary care, support, and interventions without being financially penalized. Our communities depend on the availability of these services, and maintaining reasonable reimbursement rates is essential for sustaining this availability.

Sign this petition to demand that CareSource Medicaid of Ohio halt this misguided policy. Stand with us in ensuring that mental health care remains accessible and robust for every Ohioan. Your signature can help protect not only mental health professionals but also the countless lives they touch every day. Together, we can push back and safeguard this essential aspect of health care in our state.