COUNTY SUPERVISORS PRESS CASE FOR MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING

COUNTY SUPERVISORS FROM AROUND IOWA GATHERED IN DES MOINES THURSDAY TO DISCUSS STATE LEGISLATION THAT WILL IMPACT THEIR BUDGETS.

A STATE PROPOSAL TO SHIFT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING COSTS  TO REGIONAL GROUPS OF COUNTIES WAS AT THE TOP OF THEIR AGENDA.

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD CHAIRWOMAN JACKIE SMITH SAYS THE SUPERVISORS TOLD STATE OFFICIALS THAT THE COUNTIES NEED A VOICE IN HOW MENTAL HEALTH CARE WILL BE FUNDED IN THE STATE.

SMITH SAYS THE COUNTIES PASSED A POSITION STATEMENT THAT APPROVES SWITCHING MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM OVERSIGHT TO REGIONS RATHER THAN INDIVIDUAL COUNTIES:

THREE OTHER WOODBURY SUPERVISORS, GEORGE BOYKIN, LARRY  CLAUSEN AND MARK MONSON VOTED AGAINST THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE OF FUNDING CONCERNS.

A MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING PLAN HAS YET TO BE FINALIZED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE.