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2017 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1500 (Committee Approved)

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Plan to Restructure Behavioral Health System

Item 284 #2h

Item 284 #2h

First Year - FY2017 Second Year - FY2018
Health and Human Resources
Secretary of Health and Human Resources FY2017 $0 FY2018 $500,000 GF

Language
Page 262, line 4, strike "$5,228,516" and insert "$5,728,516".

Page 264, after line 10, insert:

"F.1. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) transform its system of care into a model that embodies best practice  and state-of-the art services by treating, where appropriate, individuals in the community. As part of this effort, DBHDS state hospitals shall be structured to ensure high quality care, efficient operation, and sufficient capacity to serve those individuals needing state hospital care.

2. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 from the general fund the second year shall be provided to the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources (OSHHR) to prepare an implementation plan for the financial realignment of Virginia's public behavioral health system.  This plan shall include (i) a timeline and funding mechanism to eliminate the extraordinary barriers list in state hospitals and to maximize the use of community resources for individuals discharged or diverted from state facility care, (ii) sources for bridge funding, to ensure continuity of care in transitioning patients to the community, and to address one-time, non-recurring expenses associated with the implementation of these reinvestment projects; (iii) state hospital appropriations that can be made available to community services boards to expand community mental health and substance abuse program capacity to serve individuals who are discharged or diverted from admission, (iv) financial incentive for community services boards to serve individuals in the community rather than state hospitals, (v) detailed state hospital employee transition plans that identify all available employment options for each affected position, including transfers to vacant positions in either DBHDS facilities or community services boards, (vi) legislation and Appropriation Act language needed to achieve financial realignment, and (vii) matrices to assess performance outcomes.

3. In developing the plan, the OSHHR shall seek input from and participation by DBHDS, community services boards and behavioral health authorities, individuals receiving services and their family members, other affected state agencies, local governments, private providers and other stakeholders. OSHHR shall present the implementation plan to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees and the Chairman of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century by September 1, 2017."



Explanation

(This amendment adds $500,000 funding and language directing the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to prepare an implementation plan for the financial realignment of Virginia's public behavioral health system to further the goals of transforming the system of care into one that incorporates best practices and state-of-the-art services by treating individuals in the community where appropriate, while ensuring state hospitals are structured to ensure high quality care, efficient operation and sufficient capacity to serve those individuals in need of state hospital care. Language specifies the details of the plan and requires that it be reported to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees and the Chairman of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century by September 1, 2017. A companion amendment in this item eliminates proposed funding and language for a $4.5 million gap analysis of the behavioral health system.)