During a recent government meeting, the county commissioners addressed two significant topics: the engagement of a hearing officer for a contested case and amendments to health insurance contracts related to mental health coverage.

Commissioner Mark Harris has been appointed to conduct a hearing concerning a contested case, with the expectation that he will issue a ruling following the proceedings. The commissioners unanimously approved a letter of engagement for Harris, which will facilitate the scheduling and payment of expenses associated with the hearing.

In a separate discussion, HR Director Gary McLean presented amendments to the UMR health insurance contract aimed at aligning mental health coverage with the Mental Health Parity Act. This act seeks to ensure that mental health services are treated equally to other health care services. McLean noted that previous exclusions in the contract had been identified as oversights and are now being rectified to enhance coverage.

The commissioners also discussed the growing number of mental health providers in the community, emphasizing the importance of offering residents a variety of choices in their mental health care. Currently, many small providers are not included in the insurance network, which limits options for patients. The board is exploring solutions to integrate these providers into the network while managing costs effectively.

The meeting underscored the county's commitment to improving mental health services and ensuring equitable access to care for its residents. Further updates on these initiatives are expected in the coming months.