2025 advocacy piece

15 The Stories Are Being Told in Aging Vehicles and Facilities Capital Funding Must Be a Priority A Long Overdue Fix Is Needed to Reduce Costs Recommendations: Behavioral healthcare providers need capital investments in order to be able to bring primary medical care to the individuals they serve and make necessary repairs and improvements to their aging facilities. Individuals with mental health and substance use disorders and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience an inordinate number of serious comorbidities. Outcomes for these “high utilizers”, that small proportion of individuals using the greatest amount of health care and the most state fiscal resources, are positively impacted when primary health care can readily be coordinated and delivered by behavioral healthcare providers serving this population. It is imperative that providers have capital funding available to bring primary care to their sites in their ongoing efforts toward integrated, whole-person care. Providers must also have flexibility with capital funding so they can maintain their facilities, grounds and fleets and provide a safe environment for staff and those served. With a majority of services having transitioned to fee-for-service, and now beginning the transition to managed care, the opportunity for providers to retain contract surpluses for capital expenses, such as a new roof and purchase of a new vehicle, has evaporated. Capital funding for these and other purposes must be made available if programs are to be able to continue services in their current facilities. A great number of programs include transportation services to ensure individuals can keep their appointments. For more than 70 years, provider vehicles were exempt from registration fees. Following a reinterpretation of a long-standing statute, this exemption was taken away in 2017, which has resulted in unexpected costs, particularly for providers with large fleets. Correcting this costly mistake is long overdue. Invest $20 million in capital funding for behavioral healthcare providers to see to necessary repairs and improvements at their aging facilities. Pass S2723/A112 to reinstate the 70+ year exemption of vehicle registration fees for nonprofit organizations’ vehicles. The need to cover all costs of care and to provide reimbursements to providers that support competitive wages as part of those costs, is necessary and critical if New Jersey is to achieve its goal of providing timely, quality mental health and substance use treatment services and supports to all its vulnerable populations. Doing so can reduce the number of untold stories that are behind the tragic suicide and overdose numbers tallied each year. Giving those served the opportunity to live healthier lives will also lead to reduced hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and criminal justice involvement, subsequently lowering New Jersey's bottom line. It is not only the smart thing to do, it is the right thing to do – it is what could provide all those in need of behavioral health services with a story they would want to tell. In Closing