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Advocacy
Chapter 257
May 20,2026: The Collaborative (Association for Behavioral Healthcare, Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, Children’s League of Massachusetts and the Providers’ Council) hosted an informational session for its joint membership on the history of Chapter 257 and how the landmark rate-setting law passed almost 20 years ago works to ensure access to quality human services. Learn more below by watching the presentation recording and downloading the slides.
What is Chapter 257?
Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2008 is the historic act that reformed how the Commonwealth funds essential social services for its most vulnerable residents. It was passed unanimously by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick to address more than 20 years of chronic underfunding of the human services sector.
Strengthen Mental Health Centers
Support S.874/H.1396
Across the Commonwealth, adults, children, and families experience unacceptable wait times to access critical behavioral health treatment. Mental Health Centers need higher rates to be able to pay adequate salaries to retain and recruit clinicians, reduce waitlists, and ensure an adequately-sized workforce to deliver quality care. This bill aims to implement rate increases and to ensure rate reviews every two years to help mental health centers thrive.
Testimony & Letters of Support
ABH Testimony in Support of S.703/H.1276 and S.718
ABH Testimony of support of S.703/H.1276, an act improving access to community behavioral health centers and S.718, An Act eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services.
ABH Letter to the FY26 Budget Conference Committee
ABH outlines priority observations and requests for consideration as the conference committee report is compiled.
Boston Business Journal Opinion Piece - ABH President/CEO Lydia Conley
Lydia discusses the importance of insurance plans covering behavioral health services at community behavioral health centers.
ABH Letter to Governor Healey Regarding the FY27 State Budget Proposal
ABH writes Governor Healey urging preservation of Chapter 257 Rate Reserve, MassHealth rates to Mental Health Centers, BSAS funding for the uninsured as payer last resort, and DMH adult community services and children's services.
ABH Testimony in Support of S.874/H.1396, An Act Strengthening Mental Health Centers
S.874/H.1396 will strengthen Mental Health Centers by ensuring reimbursement rates that better reflect the cost of providing a wide range of accessible services. In an increasingly fragile
healthcare system, bolstering these local, community-based providers is the best way to ensure accessible, quality, behavioral healthcare in Massachusetts now and in the future.
Letter to Governor Healey: Funding for DMH, BSAS, and MassHealth to be able to meaningfully address the mental health and substance use needs of people throughout the Commonwealth in the FY27 State Budget
In partnership with 24 state-wide organizations, a letter was sent to Governor Healey regarding potential 9C cuts within the FY27 budget. The letter urges Governor Healey to sufficient funding for DMH, BSAS, and MassHealth.