Louisiana Senate Bill SCR21

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/13/15
• Refer: 4/14/15
• Report Pass: 4/22/15
• Passed: 4/27/15
• Engrossed: 4/27/15
• Refer: 4/28/15
• Report Pass: 5/13/15

Caption

Requests the Capital Area Human Services District develop a crisis stabilization unit for the Capital Region.

Impact

If implemented, the crisis stabilization unit would play a pivotal role in the continuum of care for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises in the Capital Region. This facility aims to stabilize patients, connect them with ongoing community resources, and provide seamless transition planning to ensure they receive appropriate follow-up care. The need for such a unit has become increasingly pressing following the previous facility's closure, which had not only served a large number of individuals but also alleviated pressure on local hospitals and emergency services.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 21 (SCR21) urges the Capital Area Human Services District to develop and operate a crisis stabilization unit to serve the Capital Region. This initiative seeks to address the gap left by the closure of a previous mental health emergency room extension, which had a significant impact on service availability for individuals in mental health crises. The resolution emphasizes the importance of a collaborative approach involving local governments, community leaders, and healthcare providers to create a sustainable financing model for those without a payor source or means to cover their mental health care costs.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around SCR21 is positive, reflecting a unified recognition of the importance of mental health services in the community. The resolution garnered unanimous support, as evidenced by the voting records showing 83 yeas and no nays during the final considerations. This overwhelming approval indicates that legislators and community members alike value the establishment of the crisis stabilization unit as a critical step toward improving mental health care access in the region.

Contention

While the resolution itself has seen strong support, there may be underlying concerns regarding the logistics and financing of the crisis stabilization unit, particularly on how to sustain it long-term without adequate resources. Some stakeholders might worry about the catchment area it will serve and the adequacy of services provided to indigent populations. Continued discussions may need to address these points of contention to ensure that the unit not only gets established but also effectively meets the complex needs of individuals in crisis.