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“Dead. Yes, dead.”

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Illinois

* Press release…

A top Illinois mental health advocacy group has sent Governor Bruce Rauner a letter urging him to sign a human services stopgap budget bill sitting on his desk and pointed to a drug overdose death linked to the state’s 12-month budget impasse.

In the letter delivered to Rauner on Thursday (copy here), Community Behavioral Healthcare Association CEO Marvin Lindsey noted that waiting lists at community-based mental health and drug treatment providers now stand at 12 to 200 individuals per month and that an “overdose death” had occurred to someone on the list.

“Regarding the waiting list, many of these individuals usually end up in more expensive emergency rooms, hospital inpatient faculties, jails or, even, dead. Yes, dead,” Lindsey wrote. “In one instance for example, since the budget impasse began, a parent called a substance use provider to tell the agency that they could remove her son from the waiting list because he had died from an overdose.”

Lindsey says that the year-long stalemate between Rauner and the Illinois General Assembly “has crippled” the state mental health and drug treatment services.

“The failure of behavioral healthcare community providers to receive payments over the past 11 ½ months on signed Department of Human Services FY 2016 contracts has crippled Illinois’ behavioral healthcare system,” Lindsey wrote.

In addition to general waiting lists, a June 15-20, 2016 survey of the Association’s 65 members throughout Illinois revealed broad service cuts and more than $85 million in unpaid and delayed bills to the group’s providers.

73%of community mental health and substance use treatment and prevention providers have been force to shut down programs or reduce services.
76% of individuals seeking to see a psychiatrist have wait times ranging from 2 to 4 months, while 24% have wait times that range from 4 months to more than 6 months.
The state owes CBHA members (65) an estimated $85,536,267 for services rendered under the FY 16 contract and delayed Medicaid payments.

“The ongoing budget dispute has financially starved local behavioral healthcare providers,” Lindsey said. “Our agencies and the people that they serve need a lifeline.”

Lindsey is urging the governor to sign a human services stopgap budget measure, SB 2038, that has been lingering on his desk since May 18.

“We urge you to sign SB 2038,” Lindsey wrote. “We also understand that the money contained in the emergency funding legislation is only a temporary solution. Like you, we agree that the General Assembly needs to continue to work to find a permanent FY’16 and FY’17 budget solution.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 11:42 am

Comments

Maybe we can get that Illinois cross maker to build one to place in front of Rauner’s office.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 11:45 am
To those who thought this was a game. It ain’t. This is real life, real people; and just because you don’t know them or anyone like them, doesn’t mean they don’t exist.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 11:46 am
Nothing cute or funny to say on this. Tragic

Comment by illinois manufacturer Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 11:46 am
The full measure of BigBrain produced destruction startin’ to show up. As he wanders IL in the never endin’ blame Madigan, blame Chicago and ignore the millions I am spendin’ on campaigns that will help Trump even though I say I am against Trump.
The BigBrain plan was forecast with the dead nursing home patients and subprime GA bank. No one should e surprised.Just disgusted.

Comment by Annonin' Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 11:47 am
I have my doubts that this will ever see the light of day in news outlets. Rich is nearly the sole source of real journalism.

Not sure I want to read any more of Illinois Bobs victim blaming either.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 11:49 am
“Like you, we agree that the General Assembly needs to continue to work to find a permanent FY’16 and FY’17 budget solution.”

They better hurry since FY’16 ends & FY17 begins July 1st.

Comment by Mama Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 11:54 am
Dear Governor, Speaker, President,

I care more about this than I do unions, school funding, income taxes, MAP grants, road construction projects or workman’s compensation.

Do.
Your.
Job.

Comment by BluegrassBoy Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 11:55 am
1.4% - I cried when I read this letter about a person dying because they couldn’t get treatment. I’m trying real hard to get social service and addiction treatment funding passed. But the Speaker isn’t willing to negotiate a balanced budget that includes the needed reforms to grow our economy and promote businesses.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:04 pm
You squeeze too hard, you kill. Members of the Illinois General Assembly, if you still think change is hard, change takes time, time has run out. Feeling heroic yet????

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:05 pm
1.4% - My staff is doing heroic things keeping government running without a budget.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:07 pm
Honeybear - I wish this would be the event to break the inertia for a budget. Unfortunately, if wishes were dollars, we would be wealthy beyond belief.

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:10 pm
Is this the short term pain Ron Sandack was talking about?

Comment by Scamp640 Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:13 pm
When “heroic” really means “horrific.”

Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:15 pm
How far fetched is it to imagine Rauner secretly believing that such a situation is a sign of success, that his plan is slowly working?

Comment by Union Man Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:17 pm
==SB 2038 has been lingering on his desk since May 18.==

Governor, why?

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:34 pm
@honeybear

I don’t blame the victims, Honey. I sometimes blame the bureaucrats who are making money off the deal and using some sleazy and dishonest tactics to pressure getting pols to give them cash.

That being said, no way I can support what Rauner, Madigan and Cullerton are doing here. Pay the freakin’ bills for what you contracted!

If you can’t afford this much support, budget what you can fund and let the folks involved know. Review the services being provided for value and efficiency.

I’m getting to the point where I believe we need to take as much funding power away from Springfield as possible.

in Arizona I get a tax CREDIT for up to $400 per year to donate to schools of my choosing in the state. I give to my local school because they do a great job with the resources they have.

Perhaps the Illinois tax code should be amended to allow certain tax credits for these kinds of donations, maybe up to 20% of the taxes paid.

Want to give to these health service providers? Fine. You get a tax credit.

Want to give to CPS or a downstate school? Take it out of your taxes.

Of course there are core services like Medicaid and pensions that need to be funded by Springfield, and motor fuel and gasoline sales taxes should fund roads and infrastructure.

Give the taxpayers a chance to do right by these people, ’cause you sure can’t trust the goofs in Springfield to do it.

Comment by Illinois Bob Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:36 pm
God rest his soul.
I’m very sorry.

Comment by northsider (the original) Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:48 pm
If every single affected agency, vendor, etc. reported things like this…. It would add up to that serious tragedy we discussed last week. One death equals a tragedy in my eyes.I however have decided that the Gov does not care. He’s currently giving a luncheon speech.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 12:48 pm
= “In one instance for example, since the budget impasse began, a parent called a substance use provider to tell the agency that they could remove her son from the waiting list because he had died from an overdose.” =

This is why I have responded to, “How is your job?” the way I have. I cannot tell you how further disheartening it is that so many inquirers are surprised and get the glazed-over eyes look when I explain.

Comment by Stan in Ascent Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 1:12 pm
= “In one instance for example, since the budget impasse began, a parent called a substance use provider to tell the agency that they could remove her son from the waiting list because he had died from an overdose.” =

“I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.”

Comment by Stan in Ascent Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 1:17 pm
Sad.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 1:41 pm
Remember those committees of the whole where providers forecasted dire consequences if no budget was in place, and that Sandack dubbed as “shams”? Here we are. Lives lost and lives ruined. Jobs lost. Universities on the brink. For what? A zealous political agenda.
“Hang in there”, right Todd? Right Tribune? Right Governor?

Comment by out of touch Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 1:51 pm
Did you really mean this tweet Governor, or would your response to the family of the young man that died just be, “Hang in there. I’m frustrated. Change is hard. Change takes time. We have to be persistent,”, or any other of the number of platitudes you have handy at the drop of a presser???

https://twitter.com/GovRauner/status/744525025462542337

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 3:04 pm
If Mr. Miller sends us home for the weekend with Neil Young’s “Needle and the Damage Done,” maybe we’ll get serious and accomplish something next week.

Comment by Whatever Friday, Jun 24, 16 @ 3:27 pm