LWVIL Mental Health Updates

League of Women Voters^®
of Geneva-St. Charles

CALL TO ACTION

The State of Mental Health Services in Illinois
To: LWV members and friends interested in the State of Mental Health Services in Illinois
From: Darlene Bakk, Mental Health Issue Specialist, info@lwvgenstc.org, PO Box 103, Wasco, IL 60183
I am looking for members and friends who would like to share, network and participate, in a state-wide committee on the following topics:

Sharing of the state of mental health services in your own community
Monitoring/studying treatment and rehabilitation services for persons with mental illness, accessibility and funding
Policy/legislation and advocacy

Background: LWVIL has had a position on Mental Health since 1987. For more information, see Where We Stand Issues and Advocacy.
The League supports a comprehensive and coordinated system of treatment and rehabilitation services for mentally ill adults and children. There should be adequate funding, planning, program standards, and personnel training requirements for both state facilities and community programs. The League supports a broad array of adequate and accessible community services. Although primary responsibility should rest with the state, funding from local, federal, and non-governmental sources should be encouraged. A system of local boards to levy taxes, administer all funds, and to plan and coordinate services should be required throughout the state. The state should require local governments to provide in their zoning ordinances for residential programs for mentally ill persons.
The LWV's in Kane County are finishing up a 2-year study on services for MI in their county. For more info, go to MHDD Study
Please contact me with your interest and/or available meeting times to meet with local league MH representatives. Thanks. Darlene info@lwvgenstc.org

LWV Illinois Mental Health

Mental Health
Support for comprehensive and coordinated services for mentally ill adults and children in both state facilities and community-based programs.
League Activity
LWVIL sent action alerts in September, 2005 and wrote a letter to the Governor regarding its concern to the announcement by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) (formerly Dept. of Public Aid) to restrict access to certain mental illness medications (Zyprexa and Seroquel) by requiring doctors treating patients under Medicaid to obtain prior approval before prescribing these medications.
LWVIL has long supported Mental Insurance Parity legislation. HB 59 which repeals the sunset provision in mental health parity was passed. (Public Act 94-0402). HB4202 Insurance Mental Health Outpatient treatment amended the Illinois Insurance Code to provide that a group health benefit plan shall provide coverage for 60 (now 35) visits for outpatient treatment of mental illness. HB1345 was also passed. This bill preserves money in the mental health system when state hospitals are closed or downsized. (Public Act 94-0498).
The Fee-for-Service Conversion which is the transformation of a system dependent on grants and state aid to a fee-for-service system, dependent on reimbursement from the federal Medicaid program has not begun. There is still concern that the State is not prepared to change to the Plan. There is a committee in place to study the impact the change would have on services for persons with serious mental illnesses.
In September and October of 2006 a few of our local leagues participated in coalition in presenting legislative and government forums regarding mental health issues.
LWVIL is currently a member of the Mental Health Summit. The Summit is a coalition comprised of persons with mental illness and their families, advocacy groups, mental health service providers and legislators. The goal of the Summit is to make access, comprehensiveness, recovery, continuity of care and quality the hallmarks of mental health services in Illinois.
Outlook
LWVIL with the Mental Health Summit will continue to monitor the progress of the fee-for-service conversion.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: September 3, 2008 18:15 PDT.