Missouri’s lost lives can be saved. Individuals and communities benefit when legislators invest in publicly-funded services that provide immediate and long-range care and prevention.

1. MO HealthNet (the proposed new Missouri Medicaid System) must be designed to assist, not punish, people with chronic conditions. The $300 million in unexpected 2007 revenues should be allocated for Public Health Care.

• Missouri should focus on providing people with chronic conditions access to proven, established, locally-based programs where available.

• Missouri’s existing network of community-based prevention facilities should be part of MO HealthNet’s case management and wellness approach.

• Consumers have the right to expect quality services, to make choices about services to assist them, and to have grievances heard.

2. Restore $48 million in cuts to the Department’s budget that have occurred over the last 5 years to ensure a comprehensive continuum of care for mental health services and programs.

• Funding cuts to the Department of Mental Health budget have resulted in a direct increase in emergency room services and incarcerations.

• Missouri should appropriate and hold the department accountable for maintaining suitable placements which provide safety at all levels of need.

3. Increase funding for innovative, cost-saving, statewide programs such as Crisis Intervention Teams for Law Enforcement (CIT), Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Mental Health Courts.

• ACT, CIT, and Mental Health Courts reduce the number of incarcerations.

4. Divisions of CPS and ADA: The Department’s request for an 8% Cost-of-Living increase for psychiatric and substance abuse providers is overdue and desperately needed.

• Recent events highlight the costs to Missouri’s most vulnerable citizens when quality of care is compromised.

• In 2004, providers were required to increase the compensation of salaried employees due to a federal minimum wage guideline change, with no state budget increase.

• The practice of reducing state inspections of care facilities and community services has resulted in tragic injuries and deaths.

• Psychiatric and substance abuse treatment providers have received only one cost-of-living raise in 6 years (between 1.5% and 2.8%).

The primary function of Missouri Partners in Crisis is to advocate with the Governor, the Missouri Legislature, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health on behalf of children and adults who have mental illness and substance abuse disorders.  The statewide steering committee plans a public policy agenda and recommends advocacy strategies based on input and feedback from general members in all regions of the state.  Missouri Partners in Crisis' signature event is the annual press conference in Jefferson City.  In a continuing effort to educate and inform the public, Missouri Partners in Crisis will write letters to the editors of regional newspapers, produce public service announcements, seek radio and TV interviews, and participate in local and statewide forums encouraging citizens to support mental health and substance abuse services.