The state of Texas is headed to the mad house! Unfortunately there is no one to care for us due to an order by Governor Rick Perry for the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to cut their budget by 10 percent for the 2012 -2013 budget year,resulting in an estimated 134 million cut. Non profit mental health centers across the state, such as Mental Health Mental Retardation (MHMR) centers, will have to limit their client intake and will possibly result in a more selective intake process.
As someone who has worked in the behavioral health field over the course of the past 3 1/2 years, I feel that this is a huge, HUGE mistake. According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in the year of 2005-2006 there were approximately 55.7 million ambulatory care visits with a primary mental health diagnosis and 2.4 million inpatient mental health discharges. The need is there and it is not a need that will go away anytime soon.
It is difficult enough that the insurance companies don't accept mental health treatment as an everyday doctor's visit. Mental health has a stigma attached to it and everyone needs to open their eyes and realize that mental health treatment is not a privilege but a necessity. Rick Perry is doing a disservice to the citizens of Texas by ordering these cuts.
I have worked at Austin Travis County Integral Care (formerly MHMR) and know first hand the troubles it faces currently. There are several hundred people in need of care that are on the waiting list to be treated. It is no secret that the indigent population is going to suffer the most. With lack of finances and insurance, mental health providers will be more willing to see financially stable citizens who carry insurance with higher reimbursement rates.
Aside from those who are in need of care there are also those who will now have to work harder. The members of law enforcement and hospital staff will see an influx of calls and people entering the emergency rooms. The cost of of the results of this cut will outweigh the cost saved. Hopefully this is not a look of what's to come nationally.
Mental health treatment is necessary for the well-being of all regardless if someone is treating schizophrenia, depression, or just in need of an ear to listen. I think that everyone has issues that need to be worked on from the mild to the major. Without access to this type of care there will be a far worse population with untreated conditions. So much for health care for all.
