Mental Health

• About the issue
• Why does this matter to people with disabilities?
• Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue?
• Who can I contact with my questions?
• Background Information For This Issue

About the issue: (Top of page)

People with mental illness often have problems getting treatment. There are two reasons for this. One is finding the right kind of services the person needs and wants. There are a variety of types of services available, but not every service is available in every county. The other problem involves funding. Treatment is paid for either through a public system or a private insurance system.

Public System:

Those using the public system are usually funded by Medicaid or their county. Each county has a Community Support Program (CSP). CSPs are structured programs that use a more medical model. They are limited to people with more serious mental disorders. Because Medicaid requires counties to pay part of the cost of CSPs, there are people waiting for services in a number of counties.

Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) is a newer approach in treatment. The CCS approach is more flexible, person-centered, and based on the person's strengths. This approach is good for people whose needs aren't as severe as those in CSPs. The first CCS program was started in 2004. In 2006, fourteen counties had CCS programs. This means people in 58 counties cannot get into this program.

For some people with mental illness, peer support programs are very helpful. These programs are usually run by people with mental illness. They might be drop-in centers or places that are vocationally oriented. They emphasize recovery and empowerment. But again, these programs exist only in limited areas.

Private Insurance System:

Wisconsin law requires health insurers to provide at least $7000 per year of coverage. In many cases, that is all private insurance will provide. And insurance companies have the right to refuse to offer a policy to a person with mental illness (or any other "pre-existing" condition). Mental health services can be costly. Weekly visits with a mental health professional could use up that amount before years end. And inpatient treatment costs over $1500/day in Wisconsin. To pay for these services out of pocket is often not possible, so people go without.

Why does this matter to people with disabilities? (Top of page)

Mental illness affects one out of five families. Nearly one million people in Wisconsin have some form of mental illness. This includes those with a primary diagnosis of mental illness, those with a "dual diagnosis" such as cognitive disability and mental illness, and those with less severe illnesses. People with disabilities (unless they have Medicaid) often have limited or no insurance coverage for these disorders.

The cost of mental illness to the individual, the family and society is enormous. Mental illness often prevents a person from being productive at work—or even being able to go to work. Half of all visits to doctors are related to mental illness issues. People with mental illness fill more hospital beds than those with cancer, lung and heart disease combined. Suicide is three times more common than murder.

Are there any bills that would make a change in this issue? (Top of page)

• Assembly Bill 70 - Handgun Registration
  This bill requires the Dept. of Justice, when conducting a background check on a possible handgun purchaser, to check whether the person is ineligible under federal law to possess a firearm based on the person's mental health status. [More on Assembly Bill 70 ]
  Outcome: The Senate version of this bill passed both houses of the legislature. It was signed into law by Gov. Doyle on May 7, 2010. It became Act 258.
• Assembly Bill 75 - State Budget
  This bill is Gov. Doyle's proposed 2009-2011 State Budget. It covers all of the state's expenese and revenues for the next two years starting 7-1-09. It affects most of the services and programs used by people with disabilities. [More on Assembly Bill 75 ]
  Outcome: This bill was passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Doyle on June 29, 2009. It became Act 28.
• Assembly Bill 287 - Beer Tax
  Increases the beer tax to fund law enforcement grants as well as alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention programs. [More on Assembly Bill 287 ]
  Outcome: This bill had a public hearing but did not pass out of committee before the session ended. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Assembly Bill 296 - Coordinated Services to Children
  This bill makes several changes in state law, 46.56, otherwise known as the Wraparound Program in the way services are coordinated to children with severe disabilities. It also adds funding to expand the program to other counties. [More on Assembly Bill 296 ]
  Outcome: This bill passed both houses of the legislature. It was signed into law by Gov. Doyle on May 13, 2010. It became Act 334.
• Assembly Bill 512 - Mental Health Insurance Parity
  This bill provides insurance coverage of mental and nervous disorders, alcoholism, and other substance abuse. This bill is similar to others that have been introduced in past sessions. [More on Assembly Bill 512 ]
  Outcome: The Senate version of this bill passed both houses of the legislature. Gov. Doyle signed the bill into law on April 29, 2010. It became Act 218.
• Assembly Bill 526 - Psychotropic Medications
  This bill requires informed consent before giving a psychotropic medication to a nursing home resident who has degenerative brain disorder. [More on Assembly Bill 526 ]
  Outcome: The Senate version of this bill passed both houses of the legislature. It was signed into law by Gov. Doyle on May 11, 2010. It became Act 281.
• Senate Bill 44 - Handgun Registration
  This bill requires the Dept. of Justice, when conducting a background check on a possible handgun purchaser, to check whether the person is ineligible under federal law to possess a firearm based on the person's mental health status. [More on Senate Bill 44 ]
  Outcome: This bill passed both houses of the legislature. It was signed into law on May 7, 2010 by Gov. Doyle. It became Act 258.
• Senate Bill 209 - Beer Tax
  Increases the beer tax to fund law enforcement grants as well as alcohol and drug abuse treatment and prevention programs. [More on Senate Bill 209 ]
  Outcome: This bill did not pass out of committee before the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Senate Bill 210 - Coordinated Services to Children
  This bill makes several changes in state law, 46.56, oterwise known as the Wraparound Program in the way services are coordinated to children with severe disabilities. It also adds funding to expand the program to other counties. [More on Senate Bill 210 ]
  Outcome: The Assembly version of this bill passed both houses of the legislature. It was signed into law on May 13, 2010 by Gov. Doyle. It became Act 334.
• Senate Bill 362 - Mental Health Insurance Parity
  This bill would provide health insurance coverage of mental and nervous disorders, alcoholism, and other substance abuse. This is similar to bills that have been introduced in past sessions. [More on Senate Bill 362 ]
  Outcome: This bill passed both houses of the legislature. It was signed into law by Gov. Doyle on April 29, 2010. It became Act 218.
• Senate Bill 594 - Facilities for Dementia
  This bill would require facilities who provide services for dementia to have a description of their services or unit and provide that description to people seeking placement in the facility. [More on Senate Bill 594 ]
  Outcome: This bill passed the Senate but failed to pass the Assembly by the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Senate Bill 609 - Psychotropic Medications
  This bill requires nursing homes to obtain written consent before giving a psychotropic drug to someone with a degenerative brain disorder. [More on Senate Bill 609 ]
  Outcome: This bill passed both houses of the legislature. It was signed into law by Gov. Doyle on May 11, 2010. It became Act 281.

Who can I contact with my questions? (Top of page)

John Shaw
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities
201 W. Washington Avenue
Madison WI 53703-2796
Phone: Voice (608) 266-7707; TDD (608) 266-6660
Email: John1.Shaw@wisconsin.gov
Fax: (608) 267-3906

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Background Information For This Issue (Top of page)

• Mental Illness Waiver
• Making the Case for CCS
• Mental Health Association of Wisconsin
• Mental Health America
• NAMI Wisconsin
• NAMI National
• Wisconsin Family Ties
• Wisconsin Council on Mental Health
• Dual Diagnosis Workgroup
• Parity Fact Sheets
• History of Parity Legislation
• Join the Mental Health Listserv (The mental health community has developed a listserv to help keep the community connected. To become a member of the listserv send an email to Shel Gross at shelgross@tds.net and in the subject line put "Add to Parity Listserve" . Then, in the body of the email indicate whether you are a consumer, a Mental Health provider, or a family member.)