Update Adds to Gloom Missouri’s revenue picture seemed even worse in recent days. Missouri’s Budget Director Linda Luebbering said Feb. 25 that talks are under way to lower anticipated tax receipts. The reduced projections are used to develop the state budget. Luebbering said February revenues were worse than expected and worse than January’s, which prompted Gov. Jay Nixon to cut an additional $74 million from the current year’s budget.

Good News, Bad News in State Budget

Missouri’s increasing budget woes are almost certain to impact Tri-County Mental Health Services and other mental health providers this year…and into the future.

With shortfalls projected at up to 20 percent this year, and greater unknowns for 2011, legislators neared mid-term looking to cut costs in almost any location they can. Not surprisingly, community-based services funded by the Department of Mental Health are looking at reductions.

“It is clear that the budget will be a challenge,” Tri-County CEO Tom Cranshaw said. “We have a constitutional requirement to have a balanced budget, so we are looking to find ways for the mental health field to give our fair share, but no more than our fair share.”

Cranshaw and other mental health leaders have been meeting individually with legislators in Jefferson City, including the 12 senators and representatives from Clay, Platte and Ray counties. Cranshaw said the discussions have been very productive.

“All of our 12 state elected officials understand the need to be mindful of shrinking State revenues while also being mindful of community-based mental health services.”

A major concern is that excessive cuts to community mental health—which often includes a preventative component—would actually cost more in the long run. “Mental disorders do not go away in times of economic pressure,” Cranshaw said. “If anything, they grow during economic stress. While we are wrestling with scarce resources, we advocate that we continue to support community-based services because those are the most cost effective and most compassionate. Without access to community mental health, those same people will seek their help in emergency rooms, hospitals, jails, or under a bridge. That ends up costing us all far more than efficient and compassionate community-based mental health.”

Cranshaw said he was optimistic that the area’s representatives recognize those challenges. “Collectively, our legislators understand these issues and the need to minimize pain and agony of our consumers and their disorders, while addressing the state-wide shortfalls. I don’t envy them.”

State budget proposals currently include several proposed cuts of more than $200 million recommended by the governor, as well as more recent recommendations proposed by legislative committees. One report in mid-February included more than $10 million for areas such as community psychiatry for adult and youth, medications and developmental disability programs. More recently concern has been expressed that budget pressures could require us to discharge up to 1,000 current uninsured consumers who are still in need of care.

Across Missouri, community providers deliver services to more than 200,000 men, women and children each year. The consumers served in these programs are some of the most vulnerable of Missouri’s citizens.

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Tri-County Mental Health Services, 3100 NE 83rd St., Suite 1001, Kansas City, MO 64119-9998
Telephone: (816) 468-0400 Fax: (816) 468-6635 • 24-Hour Emergency Service Crisis Line 1-888-279-8188
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