Mental health budget increased 48 percent

Monday, June 2, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A near 48 percent budget increase for mental health programs, or $10 million more than recommended by Gov. Bob Miller, has been approved by the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

"We're trying to reverse the severe cuts of the 1990s," said Assemblywoman Jan Evans, D-Reno, who headed the subcommittee examining the budget. She was referring to the budget reductions made in the early 1990s during an economic crisis.

The $177.4 million two-year spending program will eliminate the list of 300 patients waiting for mental retardation services; allow the purchase of newer, safer and more expensive drugs for those with mental problems; set up a pilot program in Las Vegas to treat the severely mentally ill and establish clinics in Mesquite and Pahrump, which are now without services.

Evans, noting criticism by groups that the state has failed to spend enough on mental health programs, said this budget will answer those complaints.

"Although it's a large request, it reflect reality," she said.

The approval of the budget of the state Division of Mental Hygiene and Mental Retardation came during a Saturday meeting of the Assembly committee. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to follow suit.

An extra $5.6 million has been added to the budget to buy newer medications that have far fewer side effects and cannot be lethal if a patient overdoses.

The present anti-psychotic drugs are running about $2.38 a day per patient. But that will go to an average $9 per day for such drugs as Clozapine, Olanzepine and Risperdone.

The governor's budget for Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services had been based on 3,280 cases next year and 3,457 the following year. The committee found those numbers were too low and put in enough money for 3,670 cases next year in Las Vegas and 3,997 in the following year.

A "Program for Assertive Community Treatment" will be started in Las Vegas in January to serve 72 severely mentally-ill clients -- those who bounce in and out of in-patient treatment or who would fill beds at the mental health institute in Las Vegas.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchi-gliani, D-Las Vegas, said the program would help keep patients out of the hospital.

Northern Nevada mental health advocates have said that a similar program should be developed in Reno, but the division wants to start the one in Las Vegas and see the results.

The governor's budget recommended opening a mental health clinic in Mesquite in January 1999. There are no mental health services in the city about 80 miles north of Las Vegas. In an area that includes Moapa Valley, Logandale and Overton, the population is estimated at 16,000.

The committee decided the clinic should be opened in January next year instead of 1999.

The committee also agreed to add a clinic in Pahrump in July 1998. Called the fastest growing small town in Nevada with a population of about 25,000, Pahrump has no mental health services.

Combining federal and state funds, the division's budget will go from $67.5 million in 1996 to $86.2 million in 1998 fiscal year and $92.3 million the following year.

The committee also accepted a recommendation from Giunchigliani that the divisions's name be changed over the next two years to Mental Health and Mental Retardation, instead of Mental Hygiene and Mental Retardation.

The committee also approved a $62,373 yearly grant to the Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center, which is supposed to protect the rights of the mentally ill and the disabled.

But it ordered a financial and performance audit of the office before the money will be released. Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning D-North Las Vegas, said there were "significant concerns" the agency was not performing its job.

The center was part of state government until two years ago when it asked to become a nonprofit independent. Chowning said only two of the seven members of the board of directors attend meetings. "We have seen little progress," she said.

The committee agreed to withhold 75 percent of the yearly grant next year until the audit is completed and legislators have a chance to evaluate the program. And it said it will reserve 100 percent the following year pending the outcome of the audit.

The nonprofit organization also qualifies for federal funds.

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