Brief Description: Creating a consumer or advocate-run mental health service delivery system.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Hinkle, Moeller, Campbell, B. Sullivan, Linville and Morris.

Hearing Date: 1/27/05

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

In April 2002, President Bush identified three obstacles preventing Americans with mental illnesses from getting appropriate care:
   
      1.   Stigma surrounding mental illness,
      2.   Unfair treatment limitations and financial requirements placed on mental health                                benefits in private health insurance, and
      3.   The fragmented mental health service delivery system.

The President appointed a New Freedom Commission on Mental Health to address problems in the current mental health service delivery system that allow Americans to fall through the system's cracks. The Commission's final report recommended a fundamental transformation of the way mental health care is provided. The Commission recommendations are based on two principles:

      1.   Services and treatment must be consumer and family centered, designed to give                         consumers real and meaningful choices about treatment options and providers, instead of being oriented to the requirements of bureaucracies; and
      2.   Care must focus on increasing consumers' ability to successfully cope with life's                      challenges, facilitating recovery, and building resilience, instead of only managing symptoms.

Summary of Bill:

Regional support networks are required to provide consumer or advocate run services to individuals with mental illness. Consumer or advocate operated businesses include clubhouses, crisis services, advocacy and referral services, vocational and employment services, self-help and peer counseling and support groups, community presence in state hospitals, and mental health advance directive training.

Appropriation: The sum of $5 million for the 2005-07 biennium.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.