I believe mental health services are not something to undermine or take for granted. Were it not for these services, our fellow citizens who are ailing from certain conditions wouldn’t get the treatment they deserve. Without an effective system, proper treatment will not see growth.

Mental health services are one of the first things cut from a county budget. The bill for state control passed last year. The purpose of the proposed bill in legislature is to ensure mental health services continue to be provided and improved, while the system moves from a county-based to a regional system controlled by the state. The bill itself will provide $11.6 million for transition funds, which assist counties during the redesign for 2013; an additional $29.8 million is included for equalization funds, which help counties during the final stages of the redesign next year for 2014. In all, the bill addresses funding needed to make the transition.

This mental health redesign legislation in Iowa is a topic that everyone should be mindful of. The ever-old argument of which government control is best continues. Is it better to have government activities controlled by the state? Or does it make more sense to have control by the county? The answer truly depends on the situation.

Is this redesign for the mental health system in Iowa a good idea? One could argue that the county is more aware of its residents specific mental health needs. However, state control could create more uniform services, which generates higher quality. In my opinion, moving to the state level is a positive outcome for the mental health and disability system. The bill will create the proper stability needed for mental health services. If funding is adequate, I believe this bill to be a good idea.