Sen. Deery Shares Update

One of the most significant issues confronting the state is rising health care costs and the need for better mental health services.

Over the last few years, the General Assembly has passed multiple bills to address these issues such as legislation to reduce hospital costs and legislation to expand the state’s network of certified community behavior health clinics that provide mental health and addiction services for individuals who need help but don’t require placement in a psychiatric hospital.

This session I have been working on legislation that complements these larger efforts. Senate Bill 505 would allow an ambulance, with the appropriate partnership agreements and safety protocols in place, to take a patient to a mental health facility or an urgent care facility that can provide appropriate treatment.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously last month and this week it unanimously passed the House Committee on Public Health.

I know from listening to the professionals on the ground that for some patients, the emergency room is neither the most affordable nor the most appropriate place for an ambulance to take them and having more flexibility could save both the state and the patients money and provide better care.

This is especially true for those undergoing a mental health crisis now that the state has more 24-7 crisis clinics.

SB 505 now moves to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further study about the financial implications of this potential change.