Committee Accepts McClanahan’s Restoration of Mental Health Services
February 22nd, 2010
I would like to share with you the good news from the committee meeting Tuesday, February 16. This funding directly affects programs and consumers here in north Missouri. Below is the information that was circulated as a press release.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - State Rep. Rebecca McClanahan, D-Kirksville, successfully restored about $3.5 million in planned cuts to the Department of Mental Health during a House appropriations committee hearing. McClanahan’s restorations included funding for community-based services for substance abuse treatment, mental health and developmental disabilities. Although these programs will still sustain cuts, the restorations will reduce the severity of the impact.
“Since this is one of the most difficult budget years in memory, the simple fact is that cuts must be made,” McClanahan said. “Given our financial constraints, we must be even more careful on how we set our priorities, and the committee agreed in a bipartisan fashion that these programs are necessary and vital to our communities.”
McClanahan’s amendments restored partial funding for community-based services that are designed to promote independent living for persons with mental illness, substance abuse issues or developmental disabilities. Historically, the majority of these funds have been spent on inpatient care, however new treatment and medication technologies, community involvement, and consumer preference have created the need for the development of community based services. These services also prevent expensive hospitalizations or placement in a facility and are less expensive while serving more individuals.
“Cuts in these areas affect many constituents in north Missouri and the agencies that provide the services, said McClanahan. “Quality of life for these individuals would be a risk as would jobs for those who provide the care. I just couldn’t sit by and watch that happen.”
The House Appropriations-Health, Mental Health and Social Services, of which McClanahan is a member, made approximately $60 million in cuts to those three agencies. The cuts were so deep that two Republican committee members initially joined Democrats in refusing to vote for the appropriations bill for the health and mental health departments. After the bill was defeated, however, Republican leaders pressured the dissenting members to switch their votes, which they did to allow the bill to pass.
After the six appropriations committees that specialize in certain aspects of the budget finish their work, the process will move the House Budget Committee, of which McClanahan is also a member.
