Education-related bills are not the only focus in the Senate, with some health-related bills also receiving attention.
Sen. Amy Sinclair, District 12, said that several years ago, the state moved mental health facilities from county-funded services to community systems, with the goal of ensuring equitable provision of mental health services across the state. He said he did. She added that another change was made just a few years ago, moving these services from being funded by property taxes to being state-funded.
Sinclair said the new bill moving through the Senate looks at the next step of expanding these services into a statewide system. She said that while no one wants to escape local ownership of how the needs of her friends and neighbors are met, it is critical that everyone has access to a minimum standard. He explained and told Raccoon Valley Radio why.
“As you know, we are also looking at putting money into Medicaid to address dual diagnosis, linking mental health services focused on brain health with substance abuse services. These two are often related because we’re looking at brain health issues and drugs. There is a problem of abuse occurring at the same time.”
Sinclair says it’s critical to have a system that can respond to the needs of individuals suffering in both of these areas. While Iowa ranks in the top 10 in the nation for health care, a key step in pushing the state to the No. 1 spot is making mental health care a stronger sector, he added. Ta.
