Restore Funding for Northern Virginia MHI Beds

Item 319 #1s

Language
Page 246, line 24, strike "$189,911,094" and insert "$190,811,094".
Page 246, after line 30, insert:
"A. 1.  Out of this appropriation, $900,000 the first year from the general fund shall be used to continue operating 13 beds at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI), contingent upon the allocation of an equal amount of funding from community services boards within NVMHI's catchment area.  
2.  The Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall convene a workgroup to develop a long-term funding plan for inpatient bed capacity in the catchment area served by NVMHI.  The report shall determine the number of inpatient psychiatric beds required and funding needed to appropriately serve the needs of people with mental illness in the community.  The Commissioner shall also assess the cost and feasibility of creating an alternative to re-opening beds at NVMHI.  The Commissioner shall report his findings no later than October 1, 2012 to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees as well as the Joint Commission on Health Care."

Explanation
(This amendment provides $900,000 GF the first year to Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) to continue operating 13 beds that were proposed for closure two years ago as a result of budget reductions. Community services boards (CSBs) have provided funding to keep 13 beds open during the current biennium. This amendment restores one-time funding to operate these beds contingent upon the provision of an equal amount of funding from CSBs in NVMHI's catchment area in FY 2013. Budget language is added requiring a report on a long-term plan to ensure adequate bed capacity is available to serve individuals who require an inpatient bed for the treatment of acute mental illness.)