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Show Mental Health Funding (Con't.) Page 2 Children'sPrograms Would Be Cut The "current momentum" behind CMHC concept was said to be "adequate" to maintain existing centers and "stimulate the establishment of new ones." "existing" centers, both Granite and Salt Lake are funded continue their As a comprehensive programs. "developing" center, the clinic will receive no federal monies if the Nixon Administration has its way. The clinic would continue its present band-aid- " service as Murray-Jorda- disheartening and those supporting the was to many local mental health people because legislation to find workable "rehab" was thought to be the alternatives. most popular of social service programs. The veto means that other Locally, it seems apparent that mental health services will continue at least at their present level. If the cutback does occur the timetable for delivery of comprehensive mental health service to all of Utah's citizens will be slowed down to a crawl. administration has sought to phase out stand less of a chance to s gain the majority they two-third- "out-patien- t, Murray-Jorda- director Tom n Erickson calls it. The Administration's stand is on two "paradoxical" accounts, says Mrs. Zoe Harris, director of the Utah Association for Mental Health, service a private group. "They are cutting out programs saying they didn't work and here they will cut one because it is working." The National mental health Rehabilitation Act. This social programs. the n need to bypass the President's veto. organizations are looking for a compromise. They hope they can gain a one year extension for the CMHC program which would enable both the administration veto of the National As and will priorities," says Dr. Fordham. He adds that much of the good work done already in this field will be lost if the fund cuts take effect. Last week the Senate refused President Nixon's to over-rid- e criticism that community mental health centers "enable some people to get better care than others" also strikes Mrs. Harris as inadequate. "That's like saying if a person is hungry on one block and the person on the next block is well-fe- d, stop feeding the hungry one." the answer to equitable mental health care is continued federal funding. Local and state governments are not capable of starting centers on their own, according to Mrs. Harris. "Seed money from federal sources is needed to set programs up and get them going." Various alternative funding sources for community centers have been recommended by the Mrs. Harris says Nixon Administration. Revenue sharing, especially for health care, is often mentioned. Mrs. Harris and administrators for the Salt Lake County clinics are skeptical about the amount of revenue sharing funds that would be available expressly for mental health. As they see it the amount coming is only a "fraction" of what would be needed. Patient fees are mentioned as another potential revenue source. For many, such fees are largely paid through health insurance programs. Mrs. Harris doesn't think lower income people can afford enough insurance to cover mental health needs. Gene Chatlin, director of the Salt Lake Mental Health Clinic, says national figures show sixty-onpercent of the people e the centers are below the $5,000 a year level and 45 percent of those served are on served by welfare. Chatlin expresses doubt about the possibilities of a national health insurance plan. He says the extent of coverage under such a program is still undecided, and when, will come into effect question. it another if ever, is "checks and balances must be built in." M urray-Jorda- n clinic He said "all of these things, national health insurance, private director, Tom Erickson, insurance fees, revenue sharing" and proposed programs such as the Allied Services Act and the He says Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) "all sound good, but what will they mean?" Dr. Wilfred Higashi, Ph. D., director of the Utah State Division of Mental Health doesn't know exactly where mental health programs are headed but is confident that people's needs will be met. Mental health services will continue, says Dr. Higashi but the delivery system may change. He forsees the consolidation of mental health care under something like the Allied Services Act, a proposed federal program which provides what he calls "a broader human resource system." The "move in Utah" he says towards development of "decentralized human resource centers" in each of the states' planning districts. Health care, is mental health, drug and alcoholism services, corrections, aging, the 'whole garnet' of services would be under one administrative structure. Dr. H igashi says the community mental health center has provided the "national model for mental health and the concept behind it won't be completely ignored or lost." His main concern is that any program to be successful "demands adequate citizen's input." He says more community needed to guarantee a system of "checks and balances" against too much power in one group. "Planning for mental heahh services should come from the input is local level up," says Dr. Higashi, "not from the state to the local." Dr. Higashi says he realizes people get "accustomed to one way" of doing things. encourages them "to He adapt themselves to a new way of delivering services. "In the long run, the public will be served and programs will be accountable to the public." He emphasized again the is anxious about the present time. the fund cutbacks represent a "gross inequity" for the people in the southern part of the county. He isn't encouraged by long range plans and describes the "human resource center" proposal as an "umbrella RESIDENTIAL Domettc Shogt COMMERCIAL industrial Home STEAM In Your supermarket agency." He says there is some good in the concept but says "special consideration of local range programs" must come from the community served. Federal participation has assured the county a voice in its plan says Erickson. Under state control he isn't so sure local needs would be answered as well. Federal participation has given mental health program planning a Somebody needs you EXTRACTION METHOD COMPETENT - We can tell you who Call 486-213- 20 Discount U 4 when you call "AI'' Mark at yy 6 266-830- Voluntary Action Center 2 For A Cheerful Free Estimate "larger perspective" notes Dr. Michael Fordham, director of the Granite mental health center. "The push by Federal people was needed to ask some good questions such as, what are the area's most pressing concerns? Or, are the minorities being served?" Dr. Fordham credits the Utah mental health program as being "head and shoulders above the pack." But he thinks the comprehensive mental health center concept has not had enough time to try its wings - and work itself out." Dr. Fordham's biggest regret over the proposed cut in funds is that efforts to improve mental health services beyond what they are now will be strictly curtailed. "As we grow, new needs arise, explains the doctor. Training CLEANING FURNITURE in several specialized of mental health care has aspects been cut back, suspended, or eliminated for lack of money or the anticipation of it. Children's mental health, alcoholism and drug abuse, described as "special impact programs" would be eliminated by the termination of the Community Mental Health Center program. 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