Mental-health money may be on the line
Drew Henning - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Metro
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State lawmakers are expected to slash funds for Iowa's mental-health services, but a recently introduced bill could offset disparities and try to equalize mental-health services across the state.
If passed, Senate File 169 - which designates appropriations according to county population - would allot Johnson County one of the largest slices of funds for mental-health services.
"We're not different counties here; we're one state," said Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, who was on a legislative committee that studied mental-heath services. "We should acknowledge this is a statewide problem, that a citizen in Cherokee, Iowa, should get the same services as a citizen in Polk County."
In 2006, the National Institute for Mental Health gave Iowa an "F" for its rate of spending on mental-health services, according to the state Department of Mental Health Services. Meanwhile, 26 percent of Americans - or 58 million - suffer from a diagnosable mental-health issue.
In Iowa, counties have assisted roughly 45,000 patients who can't afford care, according to state mental-health officials. But if public spending is reduced, advocates for increasing mental-health spending fear it could harm Johnson County and the state.
"It's concerning that mental-health clients across the state won't get a basic level of service to meet their needs," said Elaine Sweet, the executive director of mental-health services in Johnson County.
The recent push for a tighter budget has forced some Iowa counties to dip into reserves to ensure everyone receives adequate care. Several larger counties will face harsh realities, such as Polk County, which will see a $6 million cut, and Linn County, with its $1 million deficit in fiscal 2006.
But in Johnson County, officials are optimistic that the cuts won't immediately affect clients.
"With federal cuts affecting Iowa counties, funding will depend on if the state cigarette tax passes," said Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City. "If the tax does not pass, we will have to make some very tough decisions that could possibly affect Johnson County and other areas of the state."
If passed, Senate File 169 - which designates appropriations according to county population - would allot Johnson County one of the largest slices of funds for mental-health services.
"We're not different counties here; we're one state," said Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, who was on a legislative committee that studied mental-heath services. "We should acknowledge this is a statewide problem, that a citizen in Cherokee, Iowa, should get the same services as a citizen in Polk County."
In 2006, the National Institute for Mental Health gave Iowa an "F" for its rate of spending on mental-health services, according to the state Department of Mental Health Services. Meanwhile, 26 percent of Americans - or 58 million - suffer from a diagnosable mental-health issue.
In Iowa, counties have assisted roughly 45,000 patients who can't afford care, according to state mental-health officials. But if public spending is reduced, advocates for increasing mental-health spending fear it could harm Johnson County and the state.
"It's concerning that mental-health clients across the state won't get a basic level of service to meet their needs," said Elaine Sweet, the executive director of mental-health services in Johnson County.
The recent push for a tighter budget has forced some Iowa counties to dip into reserves to ensure everyone receives adequate care. Several larger counties will face harsh realities, such as Polk County, which will see a $6 million cut, and Linn County, with its $1 million deficit in fiscal 2006.
But in Johnson County, officials are optimistic that the cuts won't immediately affect clients.
"With federal cuts affecting Iowa counties, funding will depend on if the state cigarette tax passes," said Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City. "If the tax does not pass, we will have to make some very tough decisions that could possibly affect Johnson County and other areas of the state."
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