Thursday, May 31, 2012

Mental Health Board & Family Services

The McHenry County Mental Health Board (MHB) conducted another public hearing last night, only it was supposed to be a Special Meeting of the Board. Sandy Lewis, MHB Executive Director, made a PowerPoint presentation that must have taken hours to create.

The public (estimated at 150 by the Northwest Herald) sat through it and was then invited to address the Board. After many comments about the importance of services offered by Family Services, the first portion of the meeting was closed and a five-minute break was announced, after which the Board would enter an Executive Session.

I didn't intend to comment until a statement was made that North Central had not breached the contract (to assume operations of Family Service). I had been confused throughout the meeting, and my question to the Board was, if North Central couldn't complete its take-over of Family Services, then why wasn't it out of the picture?

Maybe it all looked too simple to me. If you are buying a house contingent upon approval of financing and you find out that you can't get a mortgage, then the deal is over.

Family Services is just one of the agencies supported by the Mental Health Board, but it looks like the place will go dark on June 30.

Several members of the audience were passionate about the benefit of and need for services. All it takes is money. Lots of it. And it's not there. What happens to any business that can't pay its bills? It goes out of business. Apparently, North Central had received verbal and email assurances that existing contracts (for reimbursements) would be transferred to them, and those were not turned into new contracts or guarantees. No money? No deal.

Family Services clients and patients will be receiving letters. The letters will tell them to find new providers. The letters might even have some suggestions. Many clients are on Medicaid. Many providers still in business refuse to accept Medicaid. A plan is being developed to safeguard medical records.

Thirty days, folks. Don't wait to find a new doctor.

No comments: