Legislative Issues for 2008 related to Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

Mental Health Legislative Priorities

Increase Funding For Non-Medicaid Services
Insufficient non-Medicaid funding led to the recent decision by Pierce County to cease contracting with the state as a Regional Support Network (RSN). While King County intends to continue as an RSN, lack of funding for non-Medicaid services presents a significant barrier to RSNs being able to fulfill our missions, and results in thousands of individuals with serious mental illness being unable to access needed services. In addition to a shortage of funding statewide, there is unequal access to non-Medicaid outpatient services across the state due to the methodology the state uses to allocate non-Medicaid funding to RSNs. We call for an increase in non-Medicaid funding of $14 million per year, and a return to the allocation methodology passed by the 2005 Legislature, in which two-thirds of the funds are allocated based on costs to RSNs of providing crisis and commitment, community hospital, and residential services, with the remainder allocated by each RSN's share of the total state population. More information. (doc)

Exempt Involuntary Commitment Petitions From Filing Fee Charges
County clerks have not generally collected these fees in the past, but have now begun charging $200 per petition filed. This is in addition to the fees already collected to meet the actual costs of processing petitions. In King County, this means an additional $400,000 in non-Medicaid funding must be diverted from paying for mental health services. Too much of mental health funding is already going to pay the legal costs associated with involuntary commitment. Amend Chapters 36.18, 70.96A, 71.05, and 71.34 RCW to eliminate any fees for the filing of petitions under these statutes. More information. (doc)

Support Changes In The Criminal Insanity Statute (Chapter 10.77 Rcw)
In December 2006, the Washington State Mental Health Division (MHD) initiated a work group consisting of representatives from Eastern and Western State Hospitals, MHD, King County District and Superior Courts, the King County Office of the Public Defender, public defense agencies in King County, the King County RSN, Seattle City Attorney, King County Prosecuting Attorney, Jail Health Services, and others to come up with recommendations for changes to the competency process as set forth in Chapter 10.77 RCW. The work group agreed on a number of changes that would result in efficiencies in the competency process that will reduce the time individuals with mental illness spend in jail without reducing public safety and while lowering the costs associated with the competency evaluation and restoration processes. More information. (doc)

Substance Abuse Legislative Priorities

Funding For Substance Abuse Treatment For Non-Medicaid Clients
King County supports funding for substance abuse treatment for non-Medicaid clients. The increase in treatment funding passed by the Legislature during the 2005-2007 biennium was directed primarily for Medicaid-eligible clients. While funding for Medicaid-eligible individuals is critical, it does not provide equal access to treatment for the non-Medicaid population in King County. There are significant numbers of individuals needing substance abuse treatment who are not Medicaid-eligible and who simply can not afford substance abuse treatment. More information. (doc)

Extend Funding For The Intensive Case Management Pilot Project
King County supports extending the Intensive Case Management Pilot Project in King and Thurston/Mason Counties to serve homeless adults who have chronic alcohol addiction. During the 2005 legislative session, funding was approved to provide Intensive Case Management services to a target population of homeless adults who have chronic alcohol addiction. The target population served by the King County Intensive Case Management Pilot Project (ICMPP) are formerly homeless adults housed at the 1811 Eastlake Project who have chronic alcohol addiction and are the highest utilizers of the Dutch Shisler Sobering Center, Harborview Medical Center and the King County Jail. This project saves lives, while also reducing costs in the criminal justice and emergency medical systems. More information. (doc)

Restore Youth Treatment Expansion Funding
King County requests that funding for youth in need of substance abuse services be reinstated to prior levels. During the 2005 legislative session, funding was approved to provide additional treatment services to low-income and indigent youth throughout the state. King County received an additional $610,413 for the biennium. During the 2007 legislative session, youth treatment expansion funding was significantly reduced due to expansion targets not being met. Treatment admissions for youth have since significantly increased while funding has not kept up with the increase in admissions. More information. (doc)

Fund Alchol, Other Drug And Violence Prevention Services
King County prevention and community organizing programs help to prevent substance abuse and violence among children, youth and communities. While these programs have had positive outcomes, the number of individuals we have been able to reach has been limited due to insufficient funding. Every dollar spent on prevention saves from $2 to $20 for society. A dedicated investment by the state is needed to assure that prevention programs are maintained and expanded to meet the needs in the community. More information. (doc)