Billboards take aim at lawmakers on mental health controversy

The well-funded political battle over control of the state’s mental health care network is heating up as freeway billboards have emerged saying that the system is “not for sale.”
The billboards have popped on I-75 and I-275 where they are targeted at legislators who be driving up north next week for the annual Mackinac Policy Conference.
“Legislators… NOT FOR SALE: My Mental Health Care” is the message, with a couple and their young child portrayed alongside the text.
So far, no one is taking credit for the advertising campaign, but mental health advocates are pleased. They are fighting a state plan to privatize and “profitize” mental health services which is supported by the governor and Republican lawmakers. The proposal, which is nearing its final stages of legislative approval, would shift Medicaid-funded services to private HMOs.
With a $2.5 billion system at stake, lawmakers in key committee positions have received about $1 million in political contributions from the health care industry, according to a report produced by Michigan Radio and the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.
The governor asserts that a privatized approach would save costs and improve outcomes for those with mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, or substance use disorders. Critics say a for-profit system would cut corners, limiting access to treatment and medication.
The regional Community Mental Health agencies that manage mental health services for Medicaid recipients have already struggled with substantial cuts in state funding over the past several years. An estimated 250,000 people use the system and the long-term goal is to integrate physical and mental health care.
Currently in Michigan, a publicly managed system provides behavioral care for Medicaid enrollees, while the health plans are responsible for physical care. Virtually everyone involved – the health plan leaders, the advocates, and the providers – agree that integrating mental health care with physical health care will both improve outcomes and cut costs for the estimated 250,000 people using the system. The disagreement lies in who would control the billions in annual Medicaid dollars that would be used to make the changes.
In addition to legislators and other state officials, community and business leaders will be among the 1,600 expected to attend the May 30-June 2 Mackinac Island conference, which is sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Mental health advocates hope the billboards will spark discussions on the island about the future of Michigan’s system of care.