Louisiana Senate Bill SSR3

Louisiana 2010 Regular Session

Caption

Request Senate Health and Welfare Committee to study potential reforms to this state's system of child and adolescent psychiatric care which balance cost with the adequacy of treatment.

Impact

The bill addresses fundamental issues stemming from the shift towards managed costs in psychiatric care rather than a focus on managed care. Specific hurdles, such as uneven Medicaid rate cuts and strict new hospitalization requirements mandated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, have created additional barriers to access for children needing psychiatric treatment. Consequently, SSR3 highlights the strain on families and healthcare providers when navigating this flawed system, often relegating children to outpatient care even when inpatient services would be more beneficial for their mental health needs.

Summary

Senate Study Request No. 3 (SSR3) aims to address systemic challenges within the state's child and adolescent psychiatric care framework. The resolution calls upon the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare to undertake a comprehensive study of potential reforms that would balance the costs of psychiatric care with the adequacy of treatment provided to young patients. It acknowledges that southern Louisiana's hospital capacity for mental health care was severely impacted by the 2005 hurricanes, which exposed significant flaws in the current system that hinder proper care for vulnerable populations.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SSR3 reflects a growing concern for the mental health of children and adolescents in Louisiana, emphasizing the need for reform. Supporters believe that the requested study could lead to significant improvements in psychiatric care delivery, while critics may point to the underlying issues that necessitated such studies as evidence of a larger systemic failure in how mental health care is prioritized and managed within the state.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding SSR3 involve the potential implications of the study's findings. Stakeholders may debate the best methods for balancing cost and care adequacy, particularly in light of recent regulations that some argue exacerbate access issues. There is a widespread acknowledgment that failing to address these flaws could lead to increased healthcare costs due to higher reliance on primary care providers when adequate psychiatric treatment is unavailable.