LINCOLN — A group that advocates for improving mental health services in Nebraska predicted dire consequences Thursday from $15 million in spending cuts expected to be included in the state budget.
One in five Nebraskans suffers from some type of behavioral health issue, and that number has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, they said. And only half of those who need help get it, they added.
“This is not the time to cut the budget.”
“Now is not the time to cut the budget,” said Tim Heller, chairman of the state Mental Health Advisory Commission and parent of a son with severe and persistent mental illness.
“Instead of care in Nebraska, we have incarceration. Instead of care, we provide homelessness. Instead of care, we provide a revolving door to our most vulnerable citizens,” Heller said. He spoke at a press conference at the State Capitol.
The event took place during the annual lobby day sponsored by the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations, which represents the state's community organizations that provide mental health services to people who do not qualify for Medicaid.
failed to compromise
The rally comes after state Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, a mental health provider, announced a budget that would keep $12 million in state grants for behavioral health and earmark $3 million to fill nursing vacancies at Lincoln Hospital. The meeting comes after the state Legislature rejected the amendment earlier this week. Regional Center.
The state budget, which is awaiting final approval next week, calls for transferring all $15 million from the Mental Health Care Fund to regional centers, where workers have also complained of violent incidents.
NABHO representatives said the nursing shortage needs to be addressed, but not at the expense of mental health services, which they say have been underfunded for years.
NABHO Executive Director Annette Dubas said NABHO is seeking a discussion with Gov. Jim Pillen about funding issues, including why some of the funds earmarked for behavioral health are not being spent. .
“Let's find out why,” said Dubas, a former state senator.
More prison inmates are heading to emergency rooms
Speakers at the press conference called for forcing more people in crisis into prisons and emergency rooms, and requiring mental health help to be provided by first responders rather than trained professionals. He outlined some of the implications of budget cuts, including putting more pressure on people to respond.
Carol Boi, CEO and president of Community Alliance of Omaha, said the layoffs will mean 75 fewer people will receive community assistance.
Jefferson County Commissioner Gail Pohlman, chair of the Region V Advisory Committee, said that translates into a budget cut of $3 million, or about 15 percent. He added that funding cuts could mean higher local property taxes to address more people being sent to prison without mental health services.
Heller called the state's behavioral health funding a “dumpster fire.”
He told the story of Joseph Jones, a man who was shot and killed by police a year ago after walking into an Omaha Target store with an AR-15 rifle.
Heller said Jones, who had a history of schizophrenia and delusions, spent more than a week lying on the highway trying to be run over before being forced to commit “suicide by cop” inside the store.
“He didn't get the care he needed,” Heller said, adding that she doesn't want her son to be in a similar situation.
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