4440 Department of Mental Health
Budget-Balancing Reductions
  • The Budget includes General Fund reductions of $17.5 million and 4.2 positions in 2007-08 and $76.8 million and 12.8 positions in 2008-09.

  • The following programs totaling $1.4 billion, have been exempted from the budget balancing reductions. The DMH's Long-Term Care Services Program, totaling $1.3 billion, which includes the state hospitals, CONREP, and SVP evaluations, is exempt from the budget balancing reductions because the required level of savings could not be achieved without releasing dangerous individuals or hindering compliance with the CRIPA. In addition, the AB 3632 Special Education Pupils Program, totaling $104 million, is exempt because funding this mandate at less than the full funding level would result in suspension of the mandate.

  • The major budget balancing reductions include:

    A decrease of $8.2 million in 2007-08 and $23.8 million in 2008-09 for managed care primarily by eliminating the annual cost-of-living increase and reducing the non-inpatient State Maximum Allowance (SMA).

    A decrease of $6.7 million in 2007-08 and $46.3 million in 2008-09 for the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program (EPSDT). The savings would be achieved by requiring prior authorization by mental health providers for EPSDT day services that exceed six months, eliminating the annual cost-of-living increase, and reducing the non-inpatient SMA.