Lou Thompson, the Director of AMDD, sent out this message today. I'm going to post it in its entirety to ensure that I don't inadvertently misconstrue anything.
matt
I’m sure everyone is well aware of the Governor’s request that all state agencies seek to identify operational efficiencies and to develop a plan for an overall budget reduction of 5% in general fund expenditures. I very much appreciate the time and effort of Jerry, Jeff, and Mary Ann as well as Glenda and Joanie in helping us put together our proposal. I want to emphasize that it is only a proposal and that it will be reviewed by Governor Schweitzer along with proposals from across state government. I expect a final decision on budget changes to come from the Governor’s office around March 5.
I think that AMDD was very fortunate to be able to achieve its savings by not implementing some new programs, putting us in a position of not cutting any services to our constituent population. In order to achieve some of the savings identified below, however, it will be necessary that each of us become more aware of how we conduct our business including the use of cell phones and travel, and conserve as much as feasible during these challenging times. I ask that everyone take whatever steps are possible to reduce daily expenses and develop more efficient and alternative ways of meeting the needs of those we serve. Bureau Chiefs may have specific guidelines for their bureau.
Here are the numbers that were developed by AMDD and submitted for consideration:
Elimination of the 2% provider rate increase for FY2011 ($660,757)
General operating expenses including travel, meetings, office supplies, cell phones, etc. ($57,407)
MMHNCC savings in worker’s comp, vacancy savings, overtime ($300,000)
MSH savings in worker’s comp, vacancy savings, overtime ($967,731)
Eliminate expansion of HCBS Waiver in FY2011 ($356,208)
Eliminate OTO funding for HB130-131-132 ($458,228)
Reduce funding for crisis diversion programs HB130-131-132 ($619,468)
Thanks to each of you for all that you do. If you have any questions, give me a call.
Lou
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Checking the Foundation
I spent yesterday at the Montana Legislature's Law and Justice Interim Committee. The Committee was focusing on improving Montana's DUI law and NAMI has a role in the process since many people who have serious mental illness also have co-occurring alcohol and substance abuse disorders. The legislators have spent a lot of time analyzing the issues and have come to some really strong conclusions. From NAMI's perspective, we really liked their focus on treating the underlying causes for the behavior rather than just focusing on stacking up the punishment.
However, treatment and education cost money. While they may save us money in the end due to lower rates of incarceration, etc.; they do carry a price tag. The challenges in paying for that price tag became very clear when DPHHS Director Anna Whiting Sorrell had to tell the interim committee that the budget for two of the three crisis bills that came out of the last interim committee had been cut. DPHHS cut HB 131 and HB 132, but left HB 130's grant program for jail diversion and crisis intervention.
To their credit, none of the legislators tried to make hay out of these cuts. They thanked Director Whiting Sorrell for her service in these challenging times and asked her to try and protect the critical crisis services paid for in HB 130 from further cuts. NAMI couldn't agree more.
At the end of the day, it was really hard not to think that it may be time for Montana to find another way to help pay for the mental illness treatment system that one-in-five Montana families so desperately need. How deeply can we cut this treatment system, before our leaders find a way to supplement the declining revenue with another funding stream, such as additional taxes on alcohol and tobacco?
No one likes to talk about raising taxes, but no one likes to talk about the dangers of untreated mental illness and co-occurring disorders either. Eventually we'll have to talk about one or the other. From my desk, it's pretty clear which is the lesser of two evils.
Sincerely,
Matt Kuntz
Executive Director
NAMI Montana
However, treatment and education cost money. While they may save us money in the end due to lower rates of incarceration, etc.; they do carry a price tag. The challenges in paying for that price tag became very clear when DPHHS Director Anna Whiting Sorrell had to tell the interim committee that the budget for two of the three crisis bills that came out of the last interim committee had been cut. DPHHS cut HB 131 and HB 132, but left HB 130's grant program for jail diversion and crisis intervention.
To their credit, none of the legislators tried to make hay out of these cuts. They thanked Director Whiting Sorrell for her service in these challenging times and asked her to try and protect the critical crisis services paid for in HB 130 from further cuts. NAMI couldn't agree more.
At the end of the day, it was really hard not to think that it may be time for Montana to find another way to help pay for the mental illness treatment system that one-in-five Montana families so desperately need. How deeply can we cut this treatment system, before our leaders find a way to supplement the declining revenue with another funding stream, such as additional taxes on alcohol and tobacco?
No one likes to talk about raising taxes, but no one likes to talk about the dangers of untreated mental illness and co-occurring disorders either. Eventually we'll have to talk about one or the other. From my desk, it's pretty clear which is the lesser of two evils.
Sincerely,
Matt Kuntz
Executive Director
NAMI Montana
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A CLIMATE OF ANXIETY, FEAR AND HOPELESSNESS
According to many, the United States is experiencing its worst recession since the Great Depression. Nationwide, cuts to mental illness treatment services are the most extensive they have been in the last 30 years. Montana is also beginning to experience budget deficits. While politicians and public officials publicly assure us there has not been budget cuts to mental health services, mental illness providers tell their clients cuts to mental illness treatment are imminent. I have received calls from individuals suffering from severe mental illness who are extremely anxious about their future.
In my experience, individuals suffering from a severe mental illness almost always suffer from extreme anxieties. They are in fact sometimes paralyzed by fear and find it difficult to function. A diagnosis of severe mental illness is the quickest ticket to poverty I know. Hopes and dreams for a fulfilling, comfortable and rewarding life are blown out of the water. Because our culture does not readily accept people who live with serious mental illness, they are in most cases marginalized. They live on the fringe of everyday society.. Mental illness means that you usually live in substandard housing, rarely are able they to find meaningful employment, rely on the meager funding of Social Security benefits in order to live, access Medicaid for health care and medication, food stamps for food with very little hope of a rewarding future.
Individuals living with mental illness are extremely concerned about their future. Reductions in treatment programs frighten them. Losing access to life saving medications is terrifying. Many of them worry that they will not have any future. Reductions to mental health services will lead to increased hospitalizations at the Montana State Hospital, place a burden on law enforcement and our criminal justice system, some say suicides will increase. A number of years ago, one of my favorite legislators told me not so play the suicide care. So, I sent him a newspaper clipping monthly of obituaries of individuals I have known who lost their lives to mental illness and suicide.
I know mental illness treatment services will never be funded at the level I would like to see. I know that if people living with serious mental illness receive appropriate evidenced-based services, recovery from severe mental illness is possible. So what can we do in these difficult financial time. Several years ago the final paragraphs of Montana's Olmstead concluded there would probably never be the needed funding for mental illness treatment programs. However, what was needed was a change of attitude. Society must accept the fact that mental illnesses are real and treatable. They are no-fault brain disorders. We need to be more caring and compassionate to people suffering from these overwhelming disorders. And, we must not extinguish hope for the mentally ill. Because right now that is all many of the have. Compassionate mental illness providers and caring families must provide this hope.
If a society is judged by the manner in which we care for our most vulnerable citizens, we are not doing very well right now.
Dr, Gary Mihelish, Past-President
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montana
In my experience, individuals suffering from a severe mental illness almost always suffer from extreme anxieties. They are in fact sometimes paralyzed by fear and find it difficult to function. A diagnosis of severe mental illness is the quickest ticket to poverty I know. Hopes and dreams for a fulfilling, comfortable and rewarding life are blown out of the water. Because our culture does not readily accept people who live with serious mental illness, they are in most cases marginalized. They live on the fringe of everyday society.. Mental illness means that you usually live in substandard housing, rarely are able they to find meaningful employment, rely on the meager funding of Social Security benefits in order to live, access Medicaid for health care and medication, food stamps for food with very little hope of a rewarding future.
Individuals living with mental illness are extremely concerned about their future. Reductions in treatment programs frighten them. Losing access to life saving medications is terrifying. Many of them worry that they will not have any future. Reductions to mental health services will lead to increased hospitalizations at the Montana State Hospital, place a burden on law enforcement and our criminal justice system, some say suicides will increase. A number of years ago, one of my favorite legislators told me not so play the suicide care. So, I sent him a newspaper clipping monthly of obituaries of individuals I have known who lost their lives to mental illness and suicide.
I know mental illness treatment services will never be funded at the level I would like to see. I know that if people living with serious mental illness receive appropriate evidenced-based services, recovery from severe mental illness is possible. So what can we do in these difficult financial time. Several years ago the final paragraphs of Montana's Olmstead concluded there would probably never be the needed funding for mental illness treatment programs. However, what was needed was a change of attitude. Society must accept the fact that mental illnesses are real and treatable. They are no-fault brain disorders. We need to be more caring and compassionate to people suffering from these overwhelming disorders. And, we must not extinguish hope for the mentally ill. Because right now that is all many of the have. Compassionate mental illness providers and caring families must provide this hope.
If a society is judged by the manner in which we care for our most vulnerable citizens, we are not doing very well right now.
Dr, Gary Mihelish, Past-President
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montana
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