Community Mental Health Services
The Mental Health Summit, strongly supports the proposed switch from the current grant system to a fee-for-service model. This will maximize Illinois' ability to obtain federal Medicaid dollars to support mental health services in Illinois. However, there are certain things the State must do to ensure a smooth transition and enable mental health service providers to meet the needs of our state's consumers.
- First, the legislature must appropriate ALL of the additional funding from new federal Medicaid dollars to community mental health services to support the conversion and sustain the new system. Without sufficient funding to support mental health services during and after the transition, mental health providers may be forced to deny services or restrict access to medications.
- In addition, the Department of Human Services (DHS) must create a mechanism that will ensure continuity of care. The legislature must adequately fund this mechanism through the new federal Medicaid dollars to ensure mental health consumers receive recovery-oriented treatment plans.
- Finally, active consumer participation in the transition process is critical. The Mental Health Summit urges the DHS to facilitate meaningful consumer participation by providing video conferencing and reimbursement for travel expenses.