Budget Cuts Threaten Mental Health Programs, Costing Millions

Health care providers in Idaho are warning that recent budget cuts to mental health programs could incur costs exceeding $150 million in the first year. These cuts, which took effect on Monday, target services for individuals in crisis and those with severe mental health disorders. The reductions may place additional financial and staffing pressures on local governments, mental health providers, and law enforcement agencies.

According to a report from the Idaho Association of Community Providers and the Idaho ACT Coalition, the cuts amount to approximately $20 million. However, the ripple effects are expected to escalate costs in various areas, including emergency services, law enforcement, involuntary psychiatric holds, and child welfare programs. Ric Boyce, co-director of the Idaho Association of Community Providers, stated, “By the time you calculate increases in predictable (state program) usage, hospital usage, that’s gonna cost $150 million to $180 million on the very conservative end.”

Impact on Local Governments and Services

In Region 2, which encompasses Nez Perce, Latah, Clearwater, Lewis, and Idaho counties, the budget cuts could impose an annual burden of $12 million to $16 million on local governments. These reductions are part of a broader 4% cut to Medicaid provider pay rates, aimed at addressing a state budget shortfall estimated at $58.3 million. This shortfall includes a revenue loss of $253 million due to tax cuts primarily benefiting Idaho’s wealthiest residents.

Sara Bennett, owner of Riverside Recovery with offices in Lewiston and Orofino, has been directly involved with the regional Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program, which has now been effectively eliminated. ACT programs are designed to provide crucial behavioral health support for individuals with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia and severe bipolar disorder. Bennett emphasized the importance of these programs, stating, “ACT is that kind of aggressive outreach… helping engage that individual in the community or in the setting that they’re in.”

Before the cuts, Bennett’s team served about 42 individuals in the region, with a statewide total of around 400 individuals. Following the budget cuts, these patients are left without the treatment they have relied on for years. Bennett noted that the restructuring of services, termed “unbundling,” has diminished the effectiveness of care, leaving many patients vulnerable.

Concerns from Local Officials

Local officials are expressing alarm over the anticipated consequences of these cuts. Tom Lamar, chairperson of the Region 2 Behavioral Health Board and Latah County commissioner, remarked that the reductions will likely shift the burden onto local crisis and recovery centers, mental health providers, and law enforcement. He criticized the state Legislature for failing to recognize the broader implications of these decisions, stating, “Counties are a subdivision of the state of Idaho… and they don’t act like it.”

The Idaho Sheriffs’ Association has also voiced concerns about the cuts. In a letter to Governor Brad Little and state lawmakers, the association outlined that the elimination of these vital services would lead to increased call volumes, involuntary holds, and negative outcomes for community members. “The loss of these stabilization programs will not reduce the overall cost to the State of Idaho. Instead, it will shift those costs directly onto county budgets, jails, E.M.S. agencies, and local taxpayers,” the letter stated.

As local jails, particularly in Region 2, brace for a potential influx of inmates resulting from these cuts, the situation raises significant concerns about public safety and the well-being of those suffering from severe mental health issues. Boyce highlighted the risks for individuals with acute mental health disorders, asserting that discontinuing their medications could lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes.

Bennett expressed hope that legislators will reconsider these cuts in the future, advocating for the reinstatement of these essential programs. “These are the individuals with the highest needs, and this is the only evidence-based treatment that we offer,” she said.

The Region 2 Behavioral Health Board is scheduled to meet on Thursday to discuss the implications of these budget cuts and to engage with local legislators and their representatives. As the community anticipates the fallout from these changes, the focus remains on the critical need for effective mental health support.