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County health official warns of local inpatient mental-health capacity gaps
Summary
Mike Bach of Copper Country Mental Health Services told the Houghton County Board on Dec. 10 that the county lacks local inpatient options for involuntary services and that some residents do not qualify for CCMHS care; the agency is exploring out-of-county placements and state funding avenues.
Mike Bach, representing Copper Country Mental Health Services, told the Houghton County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 10 that the agency is facing two persistent challenges: a shortage of local inpatient capacity for involuntary psychiatric holds and a cohort of people who do not meet criteria for CCMHS services but still require care.
Bach said the agency is considering Wisconsin facilities as one option for involuntary placements and is arranging care with private providers for people who do not qualify for CCMHS services. He said state lawmakers Representative Markkanen and Senator McBroom are working to secure additional funding for inpatient services in Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie that would benefit the region.
The board separately approved a monthly appropriation to CCMHS of $27,415.82 during the same meeting. The minutes do not record further detail about timelines for inpatient-bed expansions or specific legislative measures under consideration.
What the board recorded: The minutes summarize the CCMHS update and show the board approved the monthly appropriation; no motions specific to new local inpatient facilities were proposed or adopted at the meeting.
The record: The minutes report the staffing and placement challenges and refer to outreach by state legislators but do not include written proposals, contracts or specific funding awards.
