Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Oregon State Hospital - Framework Master Plan, Phase I Report 85 page report in PDF format from the State of Oregon DHS - "The purpose of this Phase I Framework Master Plan is to provide an overview of the Oregon State Hospital (OSH) and the effectiveness of Oregon’s mental health system. The goal is to provide guidance to the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Governor and the Oregon Legislative Assembly in determining the future design, location and role of OSH in the Oregon State Mental Health System. ... The design team interviewed over 150 stakeholders consisting of key individuals and groups participating in or having specialized knowledge of the Oregon Mental Heath System. Information and data obtained provided the findings and established the framework for the Design Team’s conclusions and recommendations. The Steering Committee participated throughout the process by reviewing and commenting on the findings and conclusions."  
  

U.S. Report Faults States' Medicaid Tactics New York Times story - "Two-thirds of the states use consultants to help them get more federal Medicaid money, often by using "questionable billing practices," and then reward those consultants by giving them a share of the money as a contingency fee, Congressional investigators said on Monday. These consultants are driving up Medicaid costs by recommending financial tactics that violate federal law or policy, the investigators, from the Government Accountability Office, said in a report to Congress." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].  
  

Mental health reform good, but not when funds are low (North Carolina) Wilmington Star News story - "...The mental health reform plan enacted by the General Assembly in 2001 aims to treat people in communities instead of locking them in institutions, giving them more say in their treatment and helping them live as normally as possible. At 403 beds, Cherry Hospital’s capacity is down 31 percent from two years ago, according to figures provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. So why are admissions to state institutions going up? The N.C. Psychiatric Association issued a report card last week that found admissions of adult consumers to state mental hospitals are up 23.3 percent since 1999 and have risen dramatically since March 2004."  
  

Grant helps fund new mental health clinic (Utah) Daily Herald story - " Wasatch Mental Health has found a way to treat hundreds of people instead of dozens thanks to a $384,000 one-time payment from the state. This year the state Legislature appropriated $2 million to make up part of the $7.5 million annual loss of surplus federal Medicaid funds that were covering mental health treatment for more then 3,500 Utahns at local mental health centers. The $384,000 is Utah County's share of the $2 million, to be distributed in the next fiscal year, which starts Friday. That's also the day Wasatch Mental Health will open its Wellness Recovery Clinic -- a no-fee clinic open to the public for low-income people who need mental health care but don't have insurance coverage. Admission will be based on treatment need and income level. It will operate out of Wasatch Mental Health's main building, during the agency's regular hours. The staff already working at the agency will double as clinic workers."