Case Studies

The Bee
Health advocates decry proposed raids on mental health funds
By Robert Lewis
January 27, 2009

 

Worried about the state of mental health care in the state? Well it could get worse.

That's according to mental health advocates who today spoke out against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to raid funds that had gone to counties for mental health services in an effort to help close the state's massive budget shortfall. The governor has proposed redirecting money raised as part of Proposition 63. The so-called Mental Health Services Act was a proposition voters approved in November 2004 that levied a 1 percent income tax on millionaires to help fund mental health. Advocates say the governor could redirect $227 million of those funds.

"The governor's FY 2009-10 budget proposal amounts to a misguided attack on people living with mental illness who literally have no other option for services and shelter," Patricia Ryan, Executive Director of the California Mental Health Directors Association said in prepared statement during a teleconference with reporters today. "We urge the Legislature to immediately reject any redirection of MHSA dollars, and any changes to the Mental Health Services Act which voters resoundingly approved just four years ago."

A spokesman for the governor said the budget deficit facing the state left few alternatives. "The governor understands how difficult these cuts are going to be, but with a $42 billion deficit, there simply are no good options," said spokesman Aaron McLear.

The governor has all along warned that the cuts would get more severe over time if the Legislature were unable to pass a budget fix and unfortunately, these cuts are evidence of that, he added.

Funding will remain for vital mental health services and the state will allow counties greater flexibility in using that money, McLear said. Mental health has taken a big hit in Sacramento County in the past year. In November, the county cut about $1.7 million in funding for mental health from the Department of Health and Human Service's budget as a result of drops in state aid.

On Friday the county announced a mid-year budget shortfall of $55 million and proposed laying off 150 workers on top of other cuts. One of the departments affected would be mental health, which could lose more than 38 positions. The county will also end a number of contracts with providers who serve the mentally ill.