Requires that DHH preserve mental health services when the department experiences a reduction to its budget
Impact
The bill has the potential to significantly impact state laws concerning public health funding and the prioritization of mental health services. By formally establishing the requirement for the preservation of these services, HB1139 could lead to more careful financial planning within the DHH, potentially elevating mental health as a priority in future state budgets. This may also foster an environment where mental health funding is less susceptible to cuts, thereby improving the stability of available services to the public.
Summary
House Bill 1139 mandates that the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) in Louisiana take specific actions to preserve mental health services in circumstances where the department is facing budget reductions. The legislation aims to protect crucial mental health programs and services funded or provided by DHH by requiring that these be maintained as much as possible even amid financial constraints. The underlying goal seems to be to safeguard the availability and quality of mental health support for individuals who may be reliant on these services.
Sentiment
General sentiment around HB1139 appears to lean towards a supportive stance, particularly from mental health advocates and organizations who recognize the importance of steadfast funding in this critical area. While specific opposition details are not evident in the provided summaries, the push for preserving such services may highlight broader ongoing discussions about mental health prioritization in state policy. Advocates likely view this as a necessary step toward formalizing protections for essential health services amidst tightening budgets.
Contention
One notable point of contention that could arise from the bill is its operational implementation, particularly how the DHH will navigate budget constraints while adhering to the provisions of HB1139. Questions may surface regarding specific operational definitions of 'preserving' services and whether sufficient resources will be allocated to allow these programs to function effectively. Additionally, ongoing discussions surrounding funding allocations might lead to debates over prioritization of mental health services versus other healthcare necessities in times of reduced budgets.
Creates the Dept. of Health and Hospitals and Children and Family Services, abolishes the Dept. of Health and Hospitals (DHH) and the Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and creates separate entities within the new department as successors to the abolished departments (RE INCREASE See Note)
Abolishes the Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Social Services and creates the Department of Health and Social Services (OR DECREASE GF EX See Note)
Abolishes the Department of Health and Hospitals and the Department of Children and Family Services and creates the Department of Health and Social Services (OR DECREASE GF EX See Note)
Requires the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to implement an equitable system of Medicaid reimbursement to private hospitals and to state hospitals respectively
Requires the Department of Health and Hospitals to implement the Medicaid health home option for persons with serious mental illness (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Creates the Higher Education Initiatives tax credit and the Health Care Redesign tax credit and dedicates the monies saved from spending reductions and revenue increases into the Spending Reductions Fund for payment of the higher education and healthcare tax credits
Requires the departments of health and hospitals, social services, and education to delegate certain hearing and adjudication functions to the division of administrative law (RE SEE FISC NOTE SD EX)
Establishes requirements relating to the closure of the Earl K. Long Medical Center and the transfer of certain services of that hospital to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
Requires the La. Department of Health to apply for a Medicaid demonstration waiver to support and improve the delivery of inpatient mental health services (OR -$3,274,253 GF EX See Note)