It is estimated that over 25% of the population has a behavioral health need with even higher occurrences of depression, addictions or severe and persistent mental illness among low income populations. People with behavioral health conditions are at higher risk than others for physical illness and disability, and the cost of medical care for them is, on average, much higher than the cost of medical care for people without behavioral health conditions. Better behavioral health services for low income populations would be likely to reduce the costs of their physical health care and produce significant overall savings in health spending. Prevention services and access to community-based, clinically appropriate and recovery-based programs and services is a key issue in Milwaukee County to reduce inpatient utilization, avoid recidivism and assist individuals in living healthy, productive lives.
The Partnership has facilitated collaboration with the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division and community hospitals to expand access to inpatient behavioral health services; reducing admissions wait times, crisis services diversions and patient board in emergency departments. Between 2007-2009, health system members contributed $1.4 million to Milwaukee County to support expanded behavioral health respite and residential treatment capacity.
In 2009, the Partnership initiated a project with the Behavioral Health Division and a number of funders to sponsor a community-wide study of mental health services. Managed by the Public Policy Forum, the study included input from a broad array of stakeholders, including consumers, providers and payers. A comprehensive report was issued in 2010 with recommendations for the redesign of the county’s adult mental health system, supporting implementation of a new care delivery model.