Supporters of Senate Bill 672 argue it would increase community-based services for people with mental illness. But the bill’s opponents say it doesn’t address what is fundamentally wrong.
The governor vetoed the bill Thursday, as he simultaneously announced an additional $12 million he will be putting towards behavioral health care.
“Primarily [the governor] doesn’t believe that it fairly addressed behavioral health care needs that our state should be addressing right now,” said Manchin spokesman Matt Turner. “However, he recognizes the importance of dedicating additional resources to behavioral health care.
“Because of that, and because of responsible management of our state’s finances, we’ve been able to commit an additional $12 million in new state and federal dollars for behavioral health care.”
But Sen. Jeff Kessler, the bill’s lead sponsor, says he’s not sure where Manchin’s money will go. He says funding from his bill would have gone straight to community-based mental health care, including group homes and substance abuse treatment – and that’s more effective and economical than hospitalization or institutionalization.
“I just was shocked and appalled to see that the governor would veto a bill when there was only a modest amount of state money, only $1.5 million directed into the senate bill that would bring a 3 to 1 federal match,” Kessler said.
West Virginia’s mental health programs have earned failing grades from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Kessler says letting the Department of Health and Human Resources control the money is flawed logic. They let the crisis develop on their watch, he says.
“I’m anxious to see the governor’s proposal but if it’s just more empty promises and a promise that we’ll address it a year down the road when another commission completes its work, then I think it’s going to be way too little, way too late,” he said. “And I’m convinced that the governor could have alleviated a lot of suffering out in our communities by a simple stroke of the pen.”
But Kessler may not have the support to overturn the veto. Sen. Roman Prezioso, who was also one of the bill’s sponsors, says he agrees with the governor’s decision.
“Basically I signed on to this thing to get people’s attention , bring all the providers together, bring the bureau of DHHR together, the governor and things of that sort,” he said. “I have a tendency to agree with the governor that this is bad public policy, putting codes, especially budget codes, into statute.”
The Legislature passed the bill unanimously, and it will reconvene at the end of the month, when it will have the option of overriding Manchin’s veto.