THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 12, 1995 TAG: 9508130001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Virginia was once a leader in services for the mentally disabled. Chapter 10, Title 37.1 of the Virginia Code (1968) created statewide Community Services Boards (CSBs) to deliver a comprehensive system of services at the local level that serve as client advocates, community educators, program planners, advisers to local governments and to take on fiscal and program responsibilities.
This structure is being eroded by the concept of contracting with the private sector through a managed-care plan for Medicaid-eligible clients, not because the present CSBs/facilities services are inadequate, but to contain costs and to deliver services with ``compassionate efficiency.''
There has been assurance from the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services that the Medallion II program will serve as a feasibility study before implementation statewide. We feel that the concept is flawed; that Medallion II simply imposes another layer of bureaucracy of no benefit to the consumer; that insufficient data have been amassed to institute a major policy change; that such a system would effectively stifle the voice of the consumer, family or advocate; and that the CSBs are already functioning as managed-care provider.
The inclusion of mental-health services in the Medallion II pilot project in this area should be deferred, if not abandoned entirely, until there has been time to consider alternatives. There is no need for haste. The present system, while not perfect, has been fiscally and programmatically responsible.
Today's popular tenet that less government is better does not apply to services for the mentally disabled, especially since Virginia once lead its sister states in offering services to this most vulnerable population.
FREDA STANLEY, chair
Coalition for Mentally Disabled
Citizens of South Hampton Roads
Virginia Beach, July 17, 1995 by CNB