Archive for Thursday, January 17, 2008
Mental health centers shocked by Sebelius’ proposed budget
Grants to agencies would decrease by 7 million
January 17, 2008
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Topeka — Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, and similar centers across the state, would be devastated by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ budget proposal, officials said Wednesday.
“Some of the most vulnerable people we serve will be most negatively impacted,” said Mike Hammond, executive director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas.
David Johnson, chief executive officer of Bert Nash, said he was mystified by Sebelius’ proposal. “I think she has gotten some bad advice,” Johnson said.
Under the budget plan unveiled by Sebelius, the state would reduce grants to the state’s 27 community mental health centers by $7 million, from $39.5 million to $32.5 million. Sebelius says additional Medicaid funding, which serves low-income Kansans, will make up for the reduction.
But Hammond and Johnson say the complicated funding of Medicaid doesn’t work that way.
The state grants helped the centers pay for services to people who couldn’t afford to pay but who also were not eligible for Medicaid, they say. Last year, approximately 70,000 people statewide benefited from the grant funding.
Hammond and Johnson said the centers can’t use Medicaid, which is made up of federal and state dollars, to pay for people who aren’t eligible for Medicaid. The state of Washington is in a lot of trouble with the federal government for trying to do that, Johnson said.
Without the grant funds, private donors or other governmental agencies will have to step up, officials said.
“We’re concerned about the financial strain this will have on mental health centers and their ability to continue to operate,” Hammond said.
Sebelius, however, stands by the budget recommendation, which will now be debated by the Legislature.
“The governor and (Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services) Secretary Don Jordan will continue to monitor this situation to ensure that Kansans have access to care,” said Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran.
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17 January 2008 at 7:21 a.m.
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toefungus (Anonymous) says…
While you praise our Gov for her savvy politics, you do not see her actual decisions. Look closer and you will see a Gov managing her career instead of looking out for Kansas.
17 January 2008 at 8:36 a.m.
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autie (Anonymous) says…
The true culprit in this issue is not the govenor or the State General fund. It is the Center for Medicaid/Medicare Services. The feds are strong arming the state to reduce medicaid expenditures across the board. This has forced SRS to change tactics, that is straining the resources of all waiver program providers. These systems and processes are erroding due to lack of funding but the expectations remain the same. The ongoing mantra of “do more with less” is wearing thin. Funding reduction equals less staff with fewer qualifications which equals more Kansans at risk.
17 January 2008 at 9:23 a.m.
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geekin_topekan (Anonymous) says…
Hope the commissioners are ready to pass along a few $$$ to the open shelter.We're gonna need it if this is passed.
17 January 2008 at 9:42 a.m.
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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…
This is a brilliant stroke of genius on her part. According to a recent study, there are more Democrats with mental issues than Republicans. All this will do is add more members to her party. Very ironic isn't it?
17 January 2008 at 11:24 a.m.
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stops4armadillos (Anonymous) says…
I hope you are just attempting humor there, BigPrune. Dollypaw, the article clearly states that the state money is to cover those who AREN'T Medicaid eligible. Autie, I agree that CMS is putting on pressure. Thank Prez Bush for that. However, let's also remember that by closing down so many of the state hospitals, the citizens of our great state were promised that money would flow to community programs so people would still get the assistance they need, in their home communities. That was a nice big FIB that the state told its stakeholders to get the hospitals closed down. There was no way they could promise consistent, future funding. And here we are…
17 January 2008 at 11:48 a.m.
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Defender (Anonymous) says…
“According to a recent study, there are more Democrats with mental issues than Republicans.'
Your idiotic post shows exactly the opposite. I do not think I have ever read anything so completely stupid in my life. You must be very proud.
17 January 2008 at 12:50 p.m.
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BigPrune (Anonymous) says…
Here you go…..for those who call me an idiot. I'm just reporting the news.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/102943/Republ…
17 January 2008 at 2:30 p.m.
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plainspeaking (Anonymous) says…
the state hasn't properly funded locally-based mental health programs since Governor Hayden and this current proposed budget is no different than those of previous administrations. the entire health care system is really screwed up. this is just one piece of that puzzle.
17 January 2008 at 3:25 p.m.
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Windlass (Anonymous) says…
good!!!! go sebelius!!!
The day is finally coming! Kick 'em while they're up, kick 'em while they're down, governor! Yeah, beat 'em to a bloody pulp. I'm gonna live just for that day.
________________________________________
17 January 2008 at 3:27 p.m.
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Defender (Anonymous) says…
“Which means that Democrats are more likely to _think_ they're nuts, and that they're more likely to be _stupid_ enough to say so.”
This coming from someone that has problems typing, wow.
“Here you go…..for those who call me an idiot. I'm just reporting the news.”
And you expect truth from republicans?
17 January 2008 at 3:32 p.m.
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Windlass (Anonymous) says…
So what sort of mental illness does GW have for going over to Saudi Arabia for nothing else than to dance with and dine with the murderers of 3,000+ Americans?
17 January 2008 at 3:35 p.m.
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Windlass (Anonymous) says…
Well, I've seen fire and I've seen rain, and every stupid thing before and every stupid thing after.
17 January 2008 at 3:39 p.m.
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Windlass (Anonymous) says…
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
17 January 2008 at 6:19 p.m.
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littlelody (Anonymous) says…
I read once that you can judge a society by how much it helps it's poor, mentally ill, and otherwise disadvantaged members. I think the people making comments who are priviledged enough to live the American dream don't realize how they have been priviledged in their lives. I don't mean to make assumptions about anyone here in particular, it's just the umbrella issue that puts people in a moral dilemma. How much do we help those who don't have the resources to help themselves? How can you not have compassion for someone who is confused, unmotivated, and uneducated, who is born into a family/community/culture that struggles just to have a place to live, a job, and food to eat, maybe even a child? who is bombarded with televsion, fast foods, drugs (prescription alike), any probably a crappy childhood. Our society creates these problems, and our society is responsible for fixing them. As well as the individual. In fact, every single person is responsible, whether you know it or not.
How is mental health, physical health, etc. not a right that everyone is entitled to? I say the American dream is one ideal that may work out for some, but let's be realistic…it doesn't work for many. I'm not saying that people shouldn't work for what they have, I'm only trying to represent an individual, such as myself, who understands that I haven't made it this far on my own, and no one ever can. That's why we have families, communities, governments. I wish these rightthinkers would get over themselves and show a little empathy for their fellow man.
17 January 2008 at 7:59 p.m.
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lawrencechick (Anonymous) says…
This is a shame and scary. Mental health services are already in short supply and we will all pay when we see criminal activity increase by people who are not getting the help they need. The real crime is how many people receive medicaid fraudulently and abuse it. It's almost to the level of people abusing grandma's handicap parking tag. And we're going to increase that, but decrease mental health. Stupid.
18 January 2008 at 2:44 a.m.
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KS (Anonymous) says…
Out of all of these posts, I haven't seen one that suggests how we should pay for all of this. Everyone is moanng and groaning about not having the money to deal with the problems, but how do you suggest we pay for it? The bottom line is that if we don't start cutting back some of the expenditures of these Medicaid programs, the cost is and will continue to be out of sight. There are two ways to deal with this. You can cut back the programs or raise taxes to pay for them. All in favor of raising taxes, say “aye”.
22 January 2008 at 3:01 p.m.
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Windlass (Anonymous) says…
It is with the poor and the downtrodden that my compassion lies. My compassion has always been with them, and I guess it always will be. Mainly that's why I can't stomach the system that gets money in their name…because it only enriches those who work on the inside. I'd like to see the day when one mentally ill individual is as well-dressed and well-fed as his or her caseworker or medication provider, and that's just one example. Because not even up to today have the mentally ill in this country been given a break. Their “handlers” sure do get a lot of breaks and free rides, though, and that's what makes it all seem so expensive….this feeding the predators.
Here's a little secret, folks, the mentally ill don't ask for anything, ever.