“A significant portion of the
state’s behavioral health resources are located within the hospital community.
However, these assets are strained because a large percentage of mental health
patients are uninsured and unable to pay for their care.
In 2011, hospitals provided $1.1 billion in uncompensated care — a record amount. The number of uninsured people using emergency departments in the state for mental health and substance abuse grew by 116 percent during the past eight years, and charity care grew by 839 percent.
Medicaid reform not only presents the state’s hospitals with additional resources to stabilize the capacity needed to care for those with mental health and substance abuse problems, but it also provides the platform the state needs to begin building capacity within a system that has declined dramatically in recent years.
In 2011, hospitals provided $1.1 billion in uncompensated care — a record amount. The number of uninsured people using emergency departments in the state for mental health and substance abuse grew by 116 percent during the past eight years, and charity care grew by 839 percent.
Medicaid reform not only presents the state’s hospitals with additional resources to stabilize the capacity needed to care for those with mental health and substance abuse problems, but it also provides the platform the state needs to begin building capacity within a system that has declined dramatically in recent years.
A strong mental health system is vital to every community in
our state. Without it, individuals who need care go without, and law enforcement
agencies are forced to deal with a population that could be better served by the
medical community. With a properly functioning behavioral health system, costs
are better managed as individuals seek care in less costly settings, and
individuals receive the treatment they need so they can continue as productive
members of their community.
Without Medicaid reform — and in light of the nearly $4 billion
in cuts to hospitals envisioned in the Accountable Care Act and subsequent
legislation — the current level of uncompensated care is unsustainable. This
could result in fewer behavioral health resources in community hospitals
throughout the state.
Medicaid reform is essential to maintaining Missouri’s
behavioral health system.”
The Missouri Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association in Jefferson City that represents 154 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.
The Missouri Hospital Association is a not-for-profit association in Jefferson City that represents 154 Missouri hospitals. In addition to representation and advocacy on behalf of its membership, the association offers continuing education programs on current health care topics and seeks to educate the public about health care issues.
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