Detroit Evening Report: Detroit, Wayne County health officials requesting $227M for mental health care improvements
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The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) is asking state lawmakers to add funding for mental health care in the region.
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Officials announced a four-point plan to expand long and short-term capacity for psychiatric patients. The outline includes increasing the number of beds and housing in the area by nine percent.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan wants lawmakers in Lansing to make it happen.
“The state Legislature is debating right now how they’re going to spend an excess of $50 billion in the state budget. And we are saying mental health services ought to be a priority and you should be able to squeeze another $100 or $200 million for that priority if you really believe it,” says Duggan.
DWIHN CEO Eric Doeh estimates the organization needs $227 million from the state to launch the program.
“We know that this is a tremendous ask but it’s a tremendous need,” says Doeh. “It’s well worth it because it will benefit our citizens here of Wayne County and of course, imaginary lines are just that, folks from other communities will benefit from this as well.”
DWIHN wants lawmakers to add the mental health care funding to the upcoming state fiscal budget, which takes effect October 1.
The Kaiser Family Foundation finds more than 27% of Michigan adults who need mental health treatment are not receiving care.
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