Swindle: Georgia's new mental health laws
This year, the
The bill will provide support to those struggling with addiction, depression and other mental health issues. The measure still requires that at least 85% of money in public-funded insurance programs goes to patient care.
The painful aspect of the changes under the bill will be an increase in state spending. One provision aimed at boosting the state's mental health workforce would forgive loans for people studying to become mental health professionals. Funding will be one obligation that the state has to maintain in the future.
House Bill 1013 doesn't solve our mental health crisis. Many parts of this bill require long-term investment in the years to come.
However, untreated addiction, poor mental health, and depression cost our state millions of dollars a year.
HB 1013 will also improve existing tools aimed at keeping people with mental health and substance abuse problems out of jail. A grant program would help identify people who should be in treatment.
Another new law, SB 403, would require the state's 23 community service boards, which are local mental health agencies, to provide co-responders to any local law enforcement agency that wants them.
These services are currently available in six or seven jurisdictions statewide. In
Even though I am a fiscal conservative, have friends and know many honorable people in the insurance industry, the above legislation is simply needed. Many Georgians will have to make sacrifices in order for the provisions in the law to work.
However, there are three truths that these measures address:
1. As a staunch defender of the 2nd Amendment, I would never support legislation that infringed on this Constitutional right. These new laws will not create a pathway to taking away guns of people diagnosed with mental illness;
2. Law enforcement officers protect our community. They should never face an increase in danger; and
3. Jails are not meant to be mental health institutions. Sheriffs throughout the state overwhelmingly agree.
Thank you for your courage, Speaker Ralston. You are a true public servant.
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