Mental errors …
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
By Staff
Mental health reform was supposed to bring services closer to those in need. Instead, the system is in shambles
When the General Assembly set out to reform mental health care in North Carolina in 2001, all stated intentions and objectives were worthy ones.
Those in need were limited in their choices, it was argued, because county health agencies providing help were strained and couldn't offer all the types of care that were needed. Rather than put so many people in large institutions, it would be better to bring the services closer to them, in their communities. Those services could be turned over to the private sector, with Medicaid, the federal/state health insurance program for the poor, covering the expense for those who couldn't afford care on their own.
The system, it was agreed by professionals, legislators and state officials, was broken.
Now, a five-part News & Observer series is unveiling the sad truth: the broken system hasn't been fixed. It's been further damaged by a lack of preparation for the changes made. There was an absence of adequate rules specifying types of care and requirements for those who provide it. And the level of "community support" services offered by some of the private companies (there are 784 of them) has been inconsistent at best. Certainly the huge sums expended for that ill-defined aspect of mental health care proved to be a painful and embarrassing surprise.
Let this be said, right away: Many care providers are dedicated people doing good work. But there are problems, and they are serious. (more…)
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