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The epic political standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic lawmakers has left the state without a full budget since last July. As a result, the state’s mental health service infrastructure “is being destroyed,” said Marvin Lindsey, CEO of the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of Illinois. CBHA is a statewide association of mental health, substance abuse and youth service providers.
“What I keep being reminded of is, you put your resources where you think they’re important,” Lindsey said. “And right now, the state’s actions (suggest) that people with mental health conditions, or people with mental illness, are not really important. I mean, that’s the message that I keep hearing from the state. And we understand the politics. We understand what’s going on. However, there are some industries that are being funded, and people with mental health are not.”
During the state budget stalemate, funding for Medicaid services provided by community mental health centers has continued, Lindsey said. However, numerous other mental health services have gone unfunded since July 1.
Psychiatric care grants, for example, have been caught up in the budget standoff. The grants, Lindsey explained, supplement the state’s “low” Medicaid reimbursement rates for psychiatry and help community mental health agencies hire psychiatrists.
The lack of funding for psychiatric care grants is a key reason why 86 percent of CBHA’s membership has either reduced or eliminated psychiatric services since the budget impasse began over 10 months ago, Lindsey said. Because of these cuts, clients may face waiting periods as long as two or three months to see a psychiatrist.
May, by the way, is national Mental Health Awareness Month.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 1:56 pm
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–The lack of funding for psychiatric care grants is a key reason why 86 percent of CBHA’s membership has either reduced or eliminated psychiatric services since the budget impasse began over 10 months ago, Lindsey said.–
Yeah, you won’t see the consequences of that on the streets.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 2:09 pm
“The lack of funding for psychiatric care grants is a key reason why 86 percent of CBHA’s membership has either reduced or eliminated psychiatric services since the budget impasse began over 10 months ago, Lindsey said.”
Why is this significant? Because all of the mental health programming in the world won’t make a difference w/out patient access to a psychiatrist who can manage psychotropic medication needs. Counseling, PSR, group therapy, etc. can only be impactful if the patient’s mental health symptoms are under control.
“Because of these cuts, clients may face waiting periods as long as two or three months to see a psychiatrist.”
In my area (East Central IL) patients are on waiting lists much longer than this and that was before the impasse. In some cases there is an 8-12 mo. wait.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 2:14 pm
Yep, that is one very large hole in our social safety net. We’re just starting folks. By Jan 2017 it’s going to be far worse.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 2:17 pm
Rauner has two choices, fund the needed services ASAP or get ready to staff up the State Operated Mental Health Centers when the courts order him to do.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 2:21 pm
The cuts in Mental Health have been material and extreme. Many program have been cut by one third or simply not funded at all.
Comment by Beaner Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 2:26 pm
The Governor rode his motorcycle to the old state capitol yesterday. What else do you want him to do?
Comment by Moe Berg Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 2:28 pm
Maybe some of the members of the General Assembly should look at their walls, you know the ones with the awards from NAMI and MHA hanging on them and think about giving them back because some of those members have turned their backs on those who those groups serve.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 2:31 pm
Honeybear,
Sadly, I think you have a typo. I think you may have to say January 2019.
Comment by Keyrock Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Waiting for the May Proclamation…. Will there be a tweet-out for National Mental Health Awareness Month????
Rauner managed the hypocrisy in April…
http://hivcareconnect.com/state-of-illinois-issues-proclamation-recognizing-national-minority-health-month-april-2016/
(Partial snark)
Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 3:27 pm
I can’t comprehend the mindset that sets out to do this intentionally as Governor Rauner has done, nor that of the House Republicans who are the key enablers.
Comment by Earnest Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 3:47 pm
==May, by the way, is national Mental Health Awareness Month.==
So time for Rauner to announce some new mental health cuts? That is his pattern after all.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 3:49 pm
===May, by the way, is national Mental Health Awareness Month.===
Hi Rich,
The governor is well aware May is mental health month and he’s doing his level best to relieve taxpayers of this fiscal burden. An exhaustive study was conducted by Governor Rauner’s Dept. of Revenue which found that it costs taxpayers ‘billions’ of dollars to fund services for people with mental health needs. Further, the study indicated these folks would be better off if they got jobs.
Thanks,
ck
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 4:00 pm
Ugh! Anonymous @ 4:00 is me.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 4:01 pm
1.4% doesn’t care because these problems do not impact him personally. As far as we know, nobody in his family suffers from mental illness, unemployment, poverty, hunger or whatever else we can think of.
He can’t see the problems from his back yard. He has enough money to buy what ever he wants or needs, including the Governor’s office.
All he wants is more money. He doesn’t care.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 4:01 pm
Have the politicians had their mental health check ups this month?
Comment by Liberty Wednesday, May 4, 16 @ 5:57 pm