HomeMy WebLinkAboutres1999-014WHATCOM COUNTY CO UNCIL AGENDA BILL
NO. 1999 - 126
CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To
Orig. Dept.: County Council
3/24/99
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MAR 2 3 1999
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WHA COUNTY
COUNCIL
U lJ IY V
3/23/99
Full Council
Division Head:
Dept. Head:
Prosecutor:
Budget:
Executive:
SUBJECT.-
Resolution maintaining - current level of State Funding for Mental Health Care
ATTACHMENTS
SUMMARYSTATEMENT:
Related County Contract #: Should the Clerk schedule a hearing? (Y/N) Requested Date:
Resolution maintaining current level of State Funding for Mental Health Care
RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action):
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN.
9999 - 926 3/23/99: Approved 7 -0 Res. #99 -014
Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only):
RES. *qq,w 0jq
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Mentalhealth res.323
PROPOSED BY: NELSON
SPONSORED BY: CONSENT
INTRODUCTION DATE: MARCH 23 1999
RESOLUTION NO. 99 -014
MAINTAINING CURRENT LEVEL OF STATE
FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE
WHEREAS, mental health disorders can be very effectively treated; and
WHEREAS, the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders can be realized in
savings to productivity and reduction in criminal justice; and
WHEREAS, the number of people served within our region has increased over the past five
years by 57 %, yet, our region's use of the state hospital has remained at 50% of the state average;
and
WHEREAS, the number of mentally ill offenders at both state and local levels has increased
the demand for chemical dependency treatment; and
WHEREAS other disabled populations are requiring service in mental health facilities; and
WHEREAS, Governor Locke's budget proposes a $26.5 million reduction to community
mental health; and
WHEREAS, this reduction includes a 2% cut to mental health regional support networks,
totaling $9.6 million and a $16.9 million decrease related to projected "caseload" reduction in
medicaid eligible population; and
WHEREAS, if the Governor's reductions are put in place we could see a 43% increase in
caseloads in our region, and, as an unfunded need, this could result in delayed access to services,
limited choices of programs, and possible rationing of care.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Whatcom County Council strongly
urges support of maintaining the current level of funding to avoid unfunded impacts to our local
communities due to the State's commitment in reducing inpatient care.
I BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that, in addition, the legislature should consider a re-
2 evaluation of the current funding model for community mental health that is solely based on
3 medicaid eligibles.
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7 APPROVED this 23 day of March , 1999
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18 Dana Brown- Davis, Clerk of the Council
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20 AP�RO ED A TO�IR�VI:
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14 Civil Deputy Prosecutor
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Mar ene Dawson, Council Chair