A bill is moving forward in the Iowa Legislature that would change how the state provides mental health services. This is one of Gov. Kim Reynolds' top priorities this year. Her bill, HSB 653, would consolidate Iowa's crisis resource programs and increase state oversight. Currently, mental health resources are divided into 13 regions across the state. Substance abuse disorder programs are divided into 19 regions. Reynolds' new bill would combine these two systems, consolidating the state's 32 regions into seven new “behavioral health districts” across the state, each with a local advisory board. That will happen. States implement performance measures, define district boundaries, and determine what services each district must provide. The new district is expected to be operational and fully operational by July 2025. Behavioral health districts do not include disability services. Instead, the Department of Health and Human Services' Aging and Disability Network would oversee these services. The bill passed a House subcommittee on Thursday. It is currently the subject of deliberation at the hospital-wide health and welfare committee.
A bill is moving forward in the Iowa Legislature that would change how the state provides mental health services. This is one of Gov. Kim Reynolds' top priorities this year.
Her bill, HSB 653, would consolidate Iowa's crisis assistance programs and increase state oversight.
Currently, mental health resources are divided into 13 regions across the state. Substance abuse disorder programs are divided into 19 regions.
Reynolds' new bill would combine those two systems, consolidating the state's 32 regions into seven new “behavioral health districts” across the state.
Each district will have a local advisory committee. States would conduct performance measurements, define district boundaries, and determine what services each district should provide.
The new district is expected to be up and running and fully operational by July 2025.
Behavioral health districts do not include disability services. Instead, the Department of Health and Human Services' Aging and Disability Network would oversee these services.
The bill passed a House subcommittee on Thursday. It is currently the subject of deliberation at the hospital-wide health and welfare committee.
