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News & ArtsFriday, December 19, 2008
Economy / Politics Sound Mental Health on Gregoire's Budget
Posted by Brendan Kiley on Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Just off the phone with David Stone, the CEO of Sound Mental Health, who says this about the proposed budget:
It's pretty short-sighted: A 42% reduction in Basic Health benefits, a 7.5% cut in non-Medicaid funding, a 3.2% cut in Medicaid funding, elimination of GAU benefits [food stamps, super-basic needs]. That will throw people literally on the streets and they’ll need even more intensive services.Take their options away, and they’ll go begging or go to the emergency room or commit some offense, major or minor, just to have a warm cot in a jail somewhere.
A few will die under bridges and under overpasses, but most find some way of surviving. They don’t just go away. The problem, instead, will get worse over time. It’s short-sighted to cut the basic safety net. Short-sighted from a pure economic perspective.
I've been with SMH for 19 years and this is the worst I've ever seen it on the state level. If this budget were to stand, it would be a travesty. We would all come to regret it soon: the crime rate will rise, the hospitalization rate would rise, the state hospitalization rate would rise. We’ll look back on it in a few years and think ‘What were we thinking?'”
Booting people off of services isn't just a danger to them—which should be enough to keep Gregoire from, say, revoking the GAU instead of closing tax loopholes—it's a danger to the rest of us, too.
Remember this guy?
James Anthony Williams, the guy diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and charged with murdering Shannon Harps on her doorstep last New Year's Eve?
This is from a Times story last January:
"It is our worst fear — a random, predatory and violent killing," said [King County Prosecutor Dan] Satterberg. "It compels us to sit down once again and look at the system we built."Williams' history, which includes refusal to take medication for his paranoid schizophrenia, has led to questions about the way he has been handled by the mental-health and legal systems and why he was free at the time of Harps' slaying.
I fail to understand the people who argue Gregoire can't raise taxes because she said she wouldn't—that makes no sense.
Circumstances have changed. The financial tailspin is worse than predicted, going to get worse, and yanking the carpet out from indigent and mentally ill people because you can't take a few snarls from minority Republicans and Dino Rossi reeks of either cowardice or cynical political expediency.
Hey Governor: You're sure you'd rather cut basic services to people like Williams instead of doing the right thing—saying "desperate times call for desperate measures," raising revenue, and taking your licks?
You're really, really, super-duper sure?
2
Okay, since these cuts are so draconian, let's raise taxes. Now, where would you suggest? How about raising sales taxes another 2 percent? How about an income tax? Tim Eyman will be all over that shit. You'll see the return of Dino Rossi for a third try. She can't raise property taxes. Sales are down dramatically. Cut what? Snow removal?
3
the governor isn't doing this because she wants to. more likely, she had to be pushed to where she is kicking and screaming in order to announce this incredibly lousy budget.
where we are now is the result of the washington state republican party's well heeled efforts to embarrass the governor over her first term tax increases after dino rossi forced her to make pledges never to do that. he of course brought it up again in the last election and his cronies in the WSRP all relished in the opportunity to twist the knife over her flip-flopping tax-and-spend spree. i have no doubt that if gregoire raised even one penny in taxes in any sector of washington state's economy, luke esser would file paperwork for a recall.
the way forward from here is not to continue to lambaste the governor, but instead to ridicule the idea of reducing a budget without raising taxes. we want these services, and we desperately need taxes to cover them. we are willing and ready to do that and we want to work with the governor to soften the blow.
if we can communicate that message to a wide audience, and get that audience to publicly agree with us, the governor will reverse her position and we won't be facing down dino rossi's budget. the WSRP can rattle its sabers all they want, but so long as the public is on the side of the governor, there's absolutely nothing they can do about it.
where we are now is the result of the washington state republican party's well heeled efforts to embarrass the governor over her first term tax increases after dino rossi forced her to make pledges never to do that. he of course brought it up again in the last election and his cronies in the WSRP all relished in the opportunity to twist the knife over her flip-flopping tax-and-spend spree. i have no doubt that if gregoire raised even one penny in taxes in any sector of washington state's economy, luke esser would file paperwork for a recall.
the way forward from here is not to continue to lambaste the governor, but instead to ridicule the idea of reducing a budget without raising taxes. we want these services, and we desperately need taxes to cover them. we are willing and ready to do that and we want to work with the governor to soften the blow.
if we can communicate that message to a wide audience, and get that audience to publicly agree with us, the governor will reverse her position and we won't be facing down dino rossi's budget. the WSRP can rattle its sabers all they want, but so long as the public is on the side of the governor, there's absolutely nothing they can do about it.
4
Obviously those mental health services only sort of work if the fully-funded services were still turning out killers.
Probably'll make no damned difference.
Probably'll make no damned difference.
7
What would have actually kept James Anthony Williams off the streets? A huge increase in bed in mental institutions? A willingness to involuntarily commit many more of the mentally ill and an increase in government funding to fight any and all legal challenges? The mental health infrastructure in this country is completely fucked and no relatively small amount of state budget cuts is going to make a significant difference.
8
I too would be interested in where Mr. Stone proposes to cut funding and/or raise revenue to fill this gap. He (or the author)conveniently left that out.
9
Almost anywhere, Good Grief. While it isn't ideal, I'd take tuition hikes, sin taxes, cuts to arts funding—pretty much anything before I'd take the front-line services for the homeless and the mentally ill.
We'll end up paying more anyway in jail and emergency-room costs anyway...
We'll end up paying more anyway in jail and emergency-room costs anyway...
10
I can't say I know where to make cuts or how to close the gap, but I can say that emergency social services are not that place. Unless you want to end up paying emergency room bills for our unserved clients or having these service-free folks knock on your door looking for help...I'd say find a different place to cut.
11
Weird choice to make your point. This dude didn't use the status quo system. Your using fear mongering with an example that exists now.
I understand that your point is that these attacks will only increase but you have no evidence and the example cited doesn't support your argument. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I totally agree the cuts suck but your argument does too.
I understand that your point is that these attacks will only increase but you have no evidence and the example cited doesn't support your argument. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I totally agree the cuts suck but your argument does too.
12
David Stone is right, and this is an aspect of the overall debate about publicly-provided health care that gets overlooked amid specious worries about encroaching socialism; We end up paying for these services anyway through ancillary costs like law enforcement and increased pressure on other basic services, but also we pay enormous costs through our insurance premiums and all the costs associated with health services. One of the reasons that your ambulance ride costs $800 is because every night a steady population of indigent people with no ability to pay are taken by ambulance to Harborview, because ERs by law cannot refuse care.
Providing these services up-front is much, much cheaper in the long run than what we are doing. And one reason I keep harping on the Aurora jump-fence: That seven million dollars would fund a lot of less visible but potentially more helpful services to a population that is in dire need of them. And yet we can find money to pay for this one instance of mental health intervention (which I contend is a band-aid, but perhaps that's debatable) while cutting scores of others seemingly because we only care about suicides that occur in public view, especially if there's some chance they'll slow down our commute.
Providing these services up-front is much, much cheaper in the long run than what we are doing. And one reason I keep harping on the Aurora jump-fence: That seven million dollars would fund a lot of less visible but potentially more helpful services to a population that is in dire need of them. And yet we can find money to pay for this one instance of mental health intervention (which I contend is a band-aid, but perhaps that's debatable) while cutting scores of others seemingly because we only care about suicides that occur in public view, especially if there's some chance they'll slow down our commute.
13
Paying for these services will come out of our pockets anyway -- they'll just be in the form of "donations". Non-profits are filling in the gaps all over the place for areas where the government *used* to provide, and now can't. These organizations, however, rely on contributions from individuals, corporations, and grant money to do their work. For an example, look at NeighborCare, an organization that has low-income clinics all over the city.
The problem is, of course, that as the recession deepens, more people will need these services because they will no longer be under insurance -- and these organizations will be forced to lean more heavily on donors for financial support. This system cannot take an infinite amount of stress; reducing government support for social services during a recession is effectively burning the candle at both ends. The loser in this equation are the folks who need the care...and can't get it.
The problem is, of course, that as the recession deepens, more people will need these services because they will no longer be under insurance -- and these organizations will be forced to lean more heavily on donors for financial support. This system cannot take an infinite amount of stress; reducing government support for social services during a recession is effectively burning the candle at both ends. The loser in this equation are the folks who need the care...and can't get it.
14
"While it isn't ideal, I'd take tuition hikes, sin taxes, cuts to arts funding"
We already are and it's not enough. Gregoire proposed a $450 million cut from the higher education budget this year. Tuition hikes of the maximum allowed 7% are already on tap, and it's likely the schools will apply for an exemption to raise it even more.
Our current liquor tax is about $20 a gallon, which raises a total of $300 million a year. If we double that, which would make a fifth of liquor cost $4 more, we could probably raise $150-200 million more (reduced demand).
The entire arts appropriation for the state of Washington is $5 million.
Our budget gap is $6000 million. Looks like we're a little short.
We already are and it's not enough. Gregoire proposed a $450 million cut from the higher education budget this year. Tuition hikes of the maximum allowed 7% are already on tap, and it's likely the schools will apply for an exemption to raise it even more.
Our current liquor tax is about $20 a gallon, which raises a total of $300 million a year. If we double that, which would make a fifth of liquor cost $4 more, we could probably raise $150-200 million more (reduced demand).
The entire arts appropriation for the state of Washington is $5 million.
Our budget gap is $6000 million. Looks like we're a little short.
15
well i'm glad you read what i wrote, but you apparently didn't understand the point. the reason that dino rossi and the republicans are in the minority is because governor gregoire is responding to public opinion, which was reflected in exit polls about her debate performances and the responses to questions like "will you raise taxes."
the republican party has set that agenda, they have fought vigorously to influence public opinion that taxes are bad (see also eyman, timothy d.) and they continue to make campaign issues out of it. if the people of this state will finally respond by publicly denouncing that argument as completely ridiculous and wholly without merit, we can see change in olympia. but criticizing the governor as gutless for her refusal to be made into a political martyr over the tax hikes is ridiculous. if we want our majority to last, we cannot allow the republican party to gain a foothold on this issue, which is always a factor so long as they are allowed to make it an issue.
the republican party has set that agenda, they have fought vigorously to influence public opinion that taxes are bad (see also eyman, timothy d.) and they continue to make campaign issues out of it. if the people of this state will finally respond by publicly denouncing that argument as completely ridiculous and wholly without merit, we can see change in olympia. but criticizing the governor as gutless for her refusal to be made into a political martyr over the tax hikes is ridiculous. if we want our majority to last, we cannot allow the republican party to gain a foothold on this issue, which is always a factor so long as they are allowed to make it an issue.
17
Gregoire could NEVER satisfy republican anti-tax nuts. Her attempting to cater to people who don't understand counter-cyclical economics (you don't put tens of thousands out of work when the economy contracts unless you want to WORSEN the economy) hurts everyone, even her nimrod opponents.
18
Not a good time being me. I have been disabled for over a year. Was just separated from my job at the UW, and depend on my disability insurance, Medicare and Medicaid to live. As much as I would be embarrassed to ose them, I was thinking of applying for food stamps but now that seems moot.
I am for a 10% income tax for everybody, with zero loopholes, and an outlawing of the sales tax. I thinl we would get more revenue and it would be fairer all around.
I am for a 10% income tax for everybody, with zero loopholes, and an outlawing of the sales tax. I thinl we would get more revenue and it would be fairer all around.
19
@18:
Well, so long as there aren't any loopholes that allow rich individuals and corporations to welsh out of the deal....
And yeah, Gregoire has been stuck with trying to keep that one promise the GOP forced her into; but the legislature isn't so beholden, and if they want to put anything back into this budget, THEY'RE the ones who are going to have to put their necks in the noose as it were.
Ball's in your court Frank...
Well, so long as there aren't any loopholes that allow rich individuals and corporations to welsh out of the deal....
And yeah, Gregoire has been stuck with trying to keep that one promise the GOP forced her into; but the legislature isn't so beholden, and if they want to put anything back into this budget, THEY'RE the ones who are going to have to put their necks in the noose as it were.
Ball's in your court Frank...
20
@18:
Food Stamps are federally funded and not affected by Gregoire's budget. You should apply for them asap. If your disability insurance is through UW then you probably won't be affected by the cuts in the General Assistance (state disability) program.
Food Stamps are federally funded and not affected by Gregoire's budget. You should apply for them asap. If your disability insurance is through UW then you probably won't be affected by the cuts in the General Assistance (state disability) program.
21
I number among those 21,000 on GAU. It is vital, and people will die without it. Here's what happened to me.
I was making $60K in my permanent tech job downtown, when I became disabled and unable to work. I lost my job, car, $1200/mo. Belltown apt, medical insurance, was separated from my pet, lost my possessions. I could only stay in the hospital for a week and was discharged and on the street. I was on the street for over two years. (This stuff could happen to you tomorrow.)
GAU and GAX are vital because Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income, federal programs, are in such a state of disarray that it takes up to 3 years for a hearing. GAU/GAX is a (rather badly tended) bridge to federal assistance. I'm a taxpayer, too, and had been giving SS upwards of $7,000 a year for this eventuality. It is not readily available for an emergency.
Now $339/mo is difficult to live on. It is not enough to rent a room or get a place. It is just enough to eat on. The medical coupon helps get medicine and see social workers and doctors. However, it has allowed me to eat on most days, and to get the medicine I require to function.
After waiting over two years on a list, I have been lucky enough to get housing assistance a couple months ago. My rent is around a third of whatever I make. I pay for it out of the 339 at the moment, so that means I usually go the last week of the month without eating much. I can get a meal at a church on Wednesday night.
If you take this assistance away from these 21,000 of our most troubled population, many will die, others will be forced to commit crimes to survive and end up in jail (where they will cost taxpayers a lot more), many will go absolutely fing nuts without their meds... Where will all this happen? Oh, they'll end up downtown maybe, on your doorstep maybe, in your face certainly. They will not go quietly.
There are already 5,000 people on the street every night, and in city shelters (prefer to sleep outside) or church-run shelters like City Team (better, but filled to capacity). With so many thousands more added to the mix, what do you think will happen?
I kind of doubt Gregoire read and understood this line item. What a callous Social Darwinist she must be if she has, for in it is a recipe for her own Malthusian catastrophe. What's next? Eugenics?
Sadly, I voted for Gregoire, despite misgivings about what she did with the tobacco settlement. Now, I am horrified at the implication of this proposition. One can only conclude that she is a social Darwinist or as incompetent herself as those she will destroy.
More...
I was making $60K in my permanent tech job downtown, when I became disabled and unable to work. I lost my job, car, $1200/mo. Belltown apt, medical insurance, was separated from my pet, lost my possessions. I could only stay in the hospital for a week and was discharged and on the street. I was on the street for over two years. (This stuff could happen to you tomorrow.)
GAU and GAX are vital because Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income, federal programs, are in such a state of disarray that it takes up to 3 years for a hearing. GAU/GAX is a (rather badly tended) bridge to federal assistance. I'm a taxpayer, too, and had been giving SS upwards of $7,000 a year for this eventuality. It is not readily available for an emergency.
Now $339/mo is difficult to live on. It is not enough to rent a room or get a place. It is just enough to eat on. The medical coupon helps get medicine and see social workers and doctors. However, it has allowed me to eat on most days, and to get the medicine I require to function.
After waiting over two years on a list, I have been lucky enough to get housing assistance a couple months ago. My rent is around a third of whatever I make. I pay for it out of the 339 at the moment, so that means I usually go the last week of the month without eating much. I can get a meal at a church on Wednesday night.
If you take this assistance away from these 21,000 of our most troubled population, many will die, others will be forced to commit crimes to survive and end up in jail (where they will cost taxpayers a lot more), many will go absolutely fing nuts without their meds... Where will all this happen? Oh, they'll end up downtown maybe, on your doorstep maybe, in your face certainly. They will not go quietly.
There are already 5,000 people on the street every night, and in city shelters (prefer to sleep outside) or church-run shelters like City Team (better, but filled to capacity). With so many thousands more added to the mix, what do you think will happen?
I kind of doubt Gregoire read and understood this line item. What a callous Social Darwinist she must be if she has, for in it is a recipe for her own Malthusian catastrophe. What's next? Eugenics?
Sadly, I voted for Gregoire, despite misgivings about what she did with the tobacco settlement. Now, I am horrified at the implication of this proposition. One can only conclude that she is a social Darwinist or as incompetent herself as those she will destroy.
22
Christine Gregoire, what the hell are you thinking, bitch? I voted for you - twice, and now you're ready to kick my ass, literally to the curb?
Many of your hard-working middle class constituents have relatives or friends on GAU and many of those on GAU vote. I guaran-damn-tee you that if you cut GAU you can kiss any thoughts of successfully running for a third term good-bye!
Many of your hard-working middle class constituents have relatives or friends on GAU and many of those on GAU vote. I guaran-damn-tee you that if you cut GAU you can kiss any thoughts of successfully running for a third term good-bye!
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