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State hospitals cite capacity, billing shifts and ask for $2.6M supplemental for civil‑commitment costs
Summary
Department of Health and Welfare staff told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that civil‑commitment costs shifted to the state by 2022 law have increased and the department seeks a $2.6 million one-time general‑fund supplemental; administrators also described accreditation gains, billing changes tied to Medicaid and staffing and waitlist
The Department of Health and Welfare’s psychiatric hospitalization division told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Wednesday it needs a $2.6 million one‑time general‑fund supplemental to cover increased civil‑commitment costs following a 2022 law change that moved the financial responsibility from counties to the state.
Why it matters: State hospitals provide short‑ and long‑term residential treatment for people who require inpatient care. The supplemental request is tied to an increase in mental‑hold and commitment services that the department says is an entitlement when a provider or law enforcement follows the civil‑commitment statute.
Alex Williamson, the Legislative Services analyst presenting the division’s budget, described the request as a one‑time ask to help with increased mental‑hold and commitment…
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