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| Ill. cuts hit mental health, but help balance budget |
| By mcdonoughvoice.com - Andrew Thomason |
| Published: 03/02/2012 |
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Springfield, Ill. — Members of the mental health community claim Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposed $53 million spending cut will cost the state in the long run, but Quinn and others say the cuts are needed to balance the budget. Quinn’s cuts targeted services not covered by Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for low-income individuals, and are not eligible for state and federal funding matches, said Kelly Kraft, Quinn’s budget spokeswoman. Community “centers are able to use the remaining funds to maximize their purchase of Medicaid matchable care,” Kraft said. But state Sen. Mattie Hunter, D-Chicago, said local providers are tapped out. “It’s devastating,” said Hunter, chairwoman of the state Senate Human Services Committee. Quinn’s budget cuts could cost the state and local governments’ money as those with mental illness wind up in the criminal justice system or local emergency rooms instead of community mental health centers, said Hunter. The average annual cost to house an inmate in Illinois is more than $21,000. Read More. |
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