How will we fund mental health system changes?

The plan to restructure the Iowa Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities system sounds wonderful. We are being told the new system will be more efficient, there will be easier access to programs and the quality of care for people in rural counties will be improved. However, no one seems to be answering questions about funding.

How much does the old program cost? How much will the new system cost? Where are the savings coming from? Are programs going to be eliminated and which ones?

Will larger counties, such as Linn County, lose services so poorer counties are able to gain services? Will money be provided for allowable growth?

Should we be restructuring a program that involves services to our most vulnerable citizens without knowing the answers?

If you want to raise the level of services in the rural counties without taking away services from larger counties, more money will have to be put into the system. The governor's budget and House of Representatives budgets have less money earmarked for mental health and disabilities than they did last year.

Legislators are making promises without doing the background work to make sure they can pay for them. Contact your representatives and ask them to push for answers on funding before they vote on the new plan.

Jan Kvach

Hiawatha