Walker OKs Boost Of Mental Health Treatment Funds

Wisconsin’s mental health and drug abuse programs will get more funds to treat low income people. Governor Scott Walker and the state’s health services agency said Tuesday they would provide an extra 17-million dollars to reimburse local agencies for more counselors and treatment experts. The money comes from existing health budgets and will start being available next year — and advocates hope it will provide more psychiatric tests, substance abuse treatment, and therapy for those without private health insurance. Officials say the state’s in a “crisis” that especially involves opioid abuse, and access to treatment needs to be improved. Exact reimbursement rates to providers won’t come out until January, but officials say they’ll be competitive with neighboring states and Medicare.