Editorial: Triage center must survive despite state

Wednesday, June 30, 2004 | 8:20 a.m.

Saving millions of dollars and caring for sick people more efficiently were the goals of the Community Triage Center when it opened in Las Vegas 18 months ago. The goals have been achieved. About $11 million in taxpayers' money has been saved by diverting intoxicated or mentally ill people from area emergency rooms to the center. This has resulted in better care at emergency rooms, as people who are injured or sick with the flu or other physical ailments can be seen more quickly. And the triage center's patients, most of whom are homeless, receive better care too. They are seen by doctors and other health professionals who specialize in substance abuse problems and mental illness.

Operated by WestCare, a nonprofit organization, the triage center opened with the understanding it would be proportionately funded by area hospitals, state government, Clark County and the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Boulder City. The hospitals, Clark County and the municipalities have contributed their shares. The state, however, whose share was supposed to be $1.27 million, has contributed only about half that amount. This is wrong, because state governments have the primary role in funding mental health and drug abuse programs. So far, for its share, the state has merely funneled federal funds to the center. The 2003 Legislature failed to authorize any actual state funding, a failure repeated by the Interim Finance Committee, which controls the state's purse strings between legislative sessions.

The lack of state funding forced the center to cut back on its services, but it still managed to see about 750 patients a month. But with today being the end of the fiscal year for governments, the center's vital service could come to an abrupt halt, at least temporarily. WestCare is saying it won't be able to open Thursday unless it can be assured that Clark County, the hospitals and the municipalities will continue their funding levels. The local partners appear ready, albeit not without concerns, to continue their funding despite the state's recalcitrance.

We fault the state of Nevada for putting WestCare and its other funding partners in this position. The triage center has proven its ability to relieve emergency rooms and ensure better care for everyone. The 2005 Legislature now needs to prove its ability to act responsibly and provide funding for the state's full share.