More bad news for mental health care in Iowa

Congress is considering billions in cuts to the Medicaid health insurance program, and it’s more bad news for Iowa’s already deficient mental health care system.

According to reporting by KFF’s Tony Leys, Iowa has the nation’s highest rate of mental illness among nonelderly Medicaid recipients, 51%.

Majority Republicans argue they’re strengthening Medicaid by making sure only the most eligible are covered. That’s being done by a work requirement for adult recipients who are not disabled. Still, the size of the reduction, $625 billion over 10 years is likely to affect other facets of Medicaid coverage.

Medicaid already pays less for care than Medicare. Leys reports eight Iowa hospitals stopped offering inpatient mental health care since 2007. That’s added to a shortage of mental health care beds that leave some patients on a waiting list while others must seek treatment in other states.

The problem is not isolated to Iowa. The United States suffers from a lack of mental health services. But Iowa’s large percentage of mental health patients covered by Medicaid puts means any cuts will exacerbate the shortage.

Iowa, Leys reports, has 760 beds. The Treatment Advocacy Center, an advocacy group pushing for better mental health care, says Iowa should have an “absolute minimum” of 960 beds needed in Iowa. Optimally, 1,920 beds would be available.

State leaders in Iowa have tried to improve the situation, but shortages persist. Losing money from its federal partner for Medicaid would make the state’s job much harder and difficult to fix with state dollars.

While Iowa’s mental health system suffers, these cuts will be used to cover the budget hole left by enacting nearly $4 trillion in tax cuts. The tax cuts will mostly benefit high-income earners. Handing them tax relief while potentially cutting dollars for mental health treatment and prompting more providers to shut down is unconscionable.

Iowa’s Republican congressional delegation has lined up to support the bill, which is backed by President Donald Trump. In doing so, they’re harming their constituents. Hard-line conservatives have demanded event deeper cuts, sooner.

Our members of Congress should be decrying these cuts. The margin of error for passing the bill in the House is tight, so a few representatives could have an impact. Scarce mental health treatment is a top issue in Iowa. Don’t make it worse to quench President Donald Trump’s thirst for huge tax cuts.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com