Representatives of statewide provider associations and other public commenters used a subcommittee public‑comment period to press for a set of budget amendments and language changes related to behavioral health, developmental disabilities and provider capacity.

Mindy Carlin, representing the Virginia Association of Community Based Providers, told the subcommittee: “We’ve requested 3 budget amendments.” She said the association seeks a 10% rate increase for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services — noting ABA did not receive a January 2024 increase other community‑based behavioral services received — plus $2.5 million to help pay one‑time training needs tied to a transition from legacy community‑based services to a redesigned Medicaid service model and a language amendment authorizing regulatory work around multisystemic family services.

Jennifer (first name only in the transcript), speaking for the Virginia Network of Private Providers, described two items her members support: reimbursement for designated support professionals (DSPs) when clients in group homes go into acute care settings and a language amendment to separate and create a center‑based or out‑of‑home respite service so it can be rate‑set and funded specifically. “When someone who is in a group home... has to go into acute care, they... don't communicate necessarily,” Jennifer said, describing the role DSPs play during hospitalizations and noting providers have historically covered that cost without reimbursement.

Karen Addison asked the committee to consider establishing a Medicaid‑funded neuro‑restorative brain‑injury unit to serve people who need 24‑hour care; she said Virginia currently uses general funds for such supports and lacks a Medicaid‑funded facility. She also urged caution on a proposed straight cap to private‑day rates and advocated for identifying root causes of referrals.

Other public comments

- A resident, identified in the transcript as Mr. Gupta, raised concerns about the impending closure of Hiram Davis Medical Center and asked the subcommittee to consider budget amendments to prevent homelessness for affected residents.

- Heidi Dixon of the Virginia Association of Health Plans thanked DMAS for collaboration on acuity and capitation rate issues and said health plans will return to brief the subcommittee on the issue later. “It's a critical issue for us,” she said.

Why it matters: Provider rate increases, training funding and service‑design language affect provider capacity and member continuity during major program transitions. Several proposals seek to avert service disruption during a systemwide move to redesigned community‑based services.

Ending: Subcommittee members acknowledged the requests and said they would review the proposed language and amendments; the chair scheduled additional briefings and a follow‑up meeting later in the week to consider the governor’s budget and provider concerns.