(C) Daily Montanan This story was originally published by Daily Montanan and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . If Montana were run like a business, this wouldn't happen. – Daily Montanan [1] ['More From Author', 'January', 'Darrell Ehrlick'] Date: 2024-01-18 When Montana leaders, mostly of the GOP variety, talk soberly about fixing the state’s broken mental health care system, I don’t believe them. It’s not that I doubt the state’s mental health care system leaves a galaxy’s worth of space for improvement. And those same leaders acknowledge that Montanans struggle with mental health, and realize there is a mismatch between demand and supply. Furthermore, many talk about the efficacy of counseling and mental health providers. But I doubt their sincerity when it comes to tackling the hurdles because the Gianforte administration has done a terrible job at fulfilling its promises to help those who are struggling in a state where suicide and mental health crises are at near-record levels. Multiple news outlets, including the Daily Montanan, have reported that healthcare providers are running more than three months behind in reimbursements from the state. Meanwhile, the state sits on a pile of cash, thanks to a legislature that couldn’t be bothered with such trifling matters as residential property tax relief. That cash sits, and healthcare providers and social service agencies are laying off staff. If there ever was an example of red tape, it’s the excuse from the state’s largest agency, the Department of Public Health and Human Services, that says the reason for the delay is due to the department (read: bureaucrats) taking more time to review legal contracts. If this sounds vaguely familiar that’s because the same department also decided it wouldn’t accept federal funds to feed hungry kids during the summertime because it was too much paperwork. For a department that has human services in its title, it sure sounds like it’s dead set against providing those services to humans, which makes you wonder: Why does DPHHS exist? And if there’s one thing that the Gianforte administration has been particularly adept at, it has been reminding us that the governor has declared the end of red tape and regulations, while simultaneously declaring the state “open for business.” Except, apparently, when that business is mental health services to hurting Montanans. Then, it’s all contracts and delays. But believe you me, when the inevitable, tragic and preventable scourge of mass shootings appear in the news cycle, we’re going to be reminded by these same conservative politicians that it’s not the guns’ fault. And it’s certainly not the time to put reasonable restrictions on firearms; instead, it’s time to invest more in mental health. So, the State of Montana says we’re investing more in mental health by increasing the rates for providers, but now we won’t pay them. Talk about insulting. The Gianforte administration along with the Republican supermajority have insisted that the state should get out of the social services business and that these services are best offered at the local level with non-state employees. Right now, that appears to be nothing more than a clever ruse to offload government employees and their salaries in order to leave these communities holding the bag. And as easy as it would be to pound on the administration for its inexplicable and unacceptable delays, it’s also a good chance to ask: Where is the legislator outrage? How many legislative hearings have been held where Montana residents tell heartbreaking stories of struggling with health and mental health? Not only have Montana lawmakers made it more difficult to get healthcare coverage by messing with Medicaid, resulting in financial harm to our already stretched-thin healthcare systems, but now service providers at the local level are losing their jobs, or having to get part-time employment because the state is months behind paying its own bills, even though its coffers are filled? So much for running the state like a business – more like running business out of state. As Montanans experience a crisis of residential property tax that was self-inflicted because of lawmaker inattention or incompetence, there’s a different crisis of social services happening because lawmakers aren’t holding the administration’s feet to the fire. Currently, even with the boost in provider reimbursement rates, the money that most service providers get is still well below market rate. Again, so much for running the state like a business. Now, to make matters worse, the under-market payments are late, creating a cash-flow crisis that no business, private or public, could likely endure. Let’s face it: Another reason why there isn’t more public outrage about the cratering social services and healthcare situation in Montana is because many who are the most profoundly affected by not receiving counseling or healthcare are already in crisis. The cruel irony is that the same sector that would normally speak up for this population of struggling Montanans cannot because they themselves are in a financial crisis of the state’s own making. If Montana government were truly run like a business, someone should be getting fired for this mess. 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