Antiquated Mental Health Reform a Bipartisan Priority, GOP Lawmaker from Wet Des Moines Says

By Rep. Peter Cownie

The issues that gain the most attention at the Statehouse are the partisan ones. Most bills at the Statehouse are overwhelmingly bipartisan, though.

Mental health reform will hopefully be one of those. This issue has been worked on for several years. Good people on both sides of the aisle have been working to come to a good result.
Mental health reform has been a top priority for both parties in the House and the Senate this year as well as Gov. Terry  Branstad.

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The current mental health system is antiquated, does not reach Iowans quickly enough, and does not provide the proper funding necessary. A result had been a wait list for over 500 people in Polk County to receive services. for example.

Further, mental health services are currently provided at the county level. This has led to an inequity for the larger counties in Iowa.

Some of the changes that Senate File 2315 makes are a regional system rather than a county-based system. This makes sense as all 99 counties are obviously different in population and need.

Counties can opt out of the regional system under Senate File 2315 if they deem appropriate. Senate File 2315 also revises the basis for determining financial responsibility from the rule of legal settlement to a determination of residency. Finally, Senate File 2315 establishes core services that will be available throughout the entire state.

Like all health-care issues, cost is critical. Under Senate File 2315, the state would bear the responsibility of paying the cost of services eligible for Medicaid funding. Regions or individual counties would be responsible for paying non-Medicaid services, with possible support from the state.

This will be a work in progress and remains a concern, especially in Polk County.

Mental health services are incredibly important. There is a ripple effect throughout society when a person with mental health problems is not cared for with proper services. Crime can increase, family problems become more prevalent, unemployment issues arise and, most important, that person is not able to enjoy a full, normal and happy life.

This bill is a step forward for the taxpayers of Iowa and for the well-being of some of Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens.