Improving mental health services for Iowans

Sen. Jack Hatch, chair of the Health & Human Services Budget, talks with advocates with IDAction, a self-advocacy group for Iowans with disabilities.

How can we make mental health and disability services more accessible to Iowans in all parts of the state at an affordable cost?

Currently, mental health services for adults are provided at the county level, meaning Iowa has up to 99 different mental health systems. Services generally include treatment, vocational opportunities, support services that help Iowans remain a part of their community, and group homes.

In addition, funding for our mental health system is complex, comes from a variety of sources, and is not sufficient to cover costs.

The Legislature is working on reforms that will establish a set of basic services that all counties must provide and to streamline funding.

The details of the proposal are still being worked out and reviewed by providers, advocates and consumers of mental health services in Iowa. I expect an interim study committee will be created to make recommendations to the Legislature for action in 2012.