The key provision of the bill is a modification of payment rates, whereby counties would initially carry no financial responsibility for the first 30 days of a person's commitment. After this period, they would have to pay 20% for subsequent days unless the individual is deemed clinically appropriate for discharge. This change is expected to have significant financial implications for county budgets, especially in cases where long-term care is necessary.
Summary
SF1926 aims to amend the Minnesota Statutes regarding county payments for care provided to committed individuals in state-operated community behavioral health hospitals. The bill modifies the payment structures related to costs of care depending on the duration of stay at facilities like the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center. Under the proposed changes, counties would be responsible for only a portion of costs associated with the care for committed persons, particularly after the first 30 days of hospitalization or under specific conditions of clinical appropriateness for discharge.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding SF1926 include concerns regarding the fiscal responsibilities placed on counties and whether these changes would adequately balance the needs of mental health services with public safety. Critics may argue that such alterations could inadvertently restrict access to necessary treatments for individuals requiring long-term mental health support, while proponents assert that these adjustments would ensure efficient use of state resources without overburdening counties financially.
Mental Health innovation programs eligible recipients and funding modifications, County responsibility for the cost of care for a client awaiting transfer to another state-operated facility or program or facility operated by the Department of Corrections removal, and appropriations
Cost of care exemption for committed persons and 48-hour rule for admissions extended, Priority Admission Review Panel established, creation of Direct Care and Treatment admissions dashboard and a limited exemption for admissions from hospital settings required, and report required.
Cost of care exemption for certain committed persons and 48-hour rule for admissions provisions extensions, Priority Admissions Review Panel establishment provision, and Direct Care, Treatment admissions dashboard creation and a limited exemption for admissions from hospital settings provision
Eligible recipients and funding modified for mental health innovation programs, county responsibility for cost of care for client awaiting transfer to another state-operated facility or program or Department of Corrections facility removed, direct care and treatment facility capacity and utilization funding provided, and money appropriated.
Civil commitment priority admission requirements modified, prisoner in a correctional facility specified to not be responsible for co-payments for mental health medications, county co-payment expense reimbursement allowed, and money appropriated.