DMHMRSAS Restructuring & Reinvestment (language only)

Item 338 #1h

Language
Page 339, line 10, after "2.", insert "a."
Page 339, after line 22, insert:
"b. The regional reinvestment projects in this item do not shift financial responsibility to local governing bodies.  The Commonwealth retains its long-standing financial responsibility for acute inpatient public psychiatric services.  The Governor, in recommending future funding levels for the regional reinvestment projects, shall adjust for projected increases in patient volume and for medical inflation in order to avoid a cost shift to local governments.  The Commissioner shall also retain the current responsibilities set forth in the Code of Virginia for identifying and funding acute inpatient beds.
c. The Commissioner shall provide the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees annual information on the cost of purchasing private sector acute inpatient bed days beginning June 30, 2004.  This information shall include detailed justification for projected increases in private sector bed day costs.  Any balances remaining at the end of each fiscal year for these regional reinvestment projects shall be carried over to finance these projects in the next fiscal year and shall not revert to the general fund.  Any cost savings as a result of these regional reinvestment projects shall be retained in the same geographic region for improvement in community services for persons with mental disabilities."

Explanation
(This amendment clarifies language in the introduced budget regarding the reinvestment of facility funds into community mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services. Language is added to ensure adequate funding is available in the future from the Commonwealth to continue support for these community-based services. Language also requires the Commissioner of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services to provide annual information to the Governor and the General Assembly on the cost of these services beginning June 30, 2004. A companion amendment in Item 334, Grants to Localities, duplicates this language.)