There was a big rally at the state Capitol today to support improved mental health services and to oppose Governor Rick Snyder’s plan to overhaul how those services are paid for.
There were speeches and people with signs marching around the perimeter of the Capitol. The Snyder administration and publicly funded mental health agencies have been at odds over an overhaul plan. It would allow private insurance companies to manage two and a half billion Medicaid dollars earmarked for mental health.
Nicole Lawson is an Oakland County mental health services administrator.
“When you hand over publicly funded services to a profit-driven organization, people hurt and people suffer.”
Governor Snyder says the focus is on reducing management costs, and integrating physical health care and mental health services.