PROPOSED MENTAL HEALTH BILL COULD COST WOODBURY COUNTY SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS

A BILL PENDING IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE COULD BRING SWEEPING CHANGES TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE FUNDING IN THE STATE....AND CREATE PROBLEMS FOR COUNTY BUDGETS AND FACILITIES.

WOODBURY COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES COORDINATOR PATTY ERICKSON-PUTTMANN SAYS THE 90 PAGE BILL REGIONALIZES MENTAL HEALTH CARE:

   
SHE TOLD COUNTY SUPERVISORS THE BILL WILL FORCE THE COUNTY TO COME UP WITH FUNDING FOR GROUPS OF PATIENTS THEY CURRENTLY TO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CARE OF.

THAT WOULD CREATE A 3-POINT-8 MILLION DOLLAR SHORTFALL IN WOODBURY COUNTY'S MENTAL HEALTH CARE BUDGET.

PUTTMANN-ERICKSON SAYS THERE ARE NO FUNDS CURRENTLY ALLOCATED IN THE PROPOSED STATE BUDGET FOR THE REDESIGN EFFORT. SHE SAYS THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO ELIMINATE SEVERAL CURRENT PROGRAMS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH COURT TO MEET THE PROPOSED BILL'S FUNDING GUIDELINES.
   JIM RIXNER OF SIOUXLAND MENTAL HEALTH CALLS THOSE PROPOSED CUTS UNACCEPTABLE:

SUPERVISOR GEORGE BOYKIN DOESN'T THINK COUNTIES WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE PROPOSED CHANGES:

COUNTY SUPERVISORS SAY THEY WILL VOICE THEIR OBJECTIONS TO LEGISLATORS AND AT AN UPCOMING STATE MEETING ON FEBRUARY 9TH.