The Vermont House of Representatives today gave overwhelming approval to a bill which overhaulsVermont’s mental health system.The bill comes following the closure of theVermontStateHospitalinWaterburyafter Tropical Storm Irene.
‘I am pleased we are able to swiftly advance a bill that takes the pressure off the system that was caused by Irene,’ said Speaker Shap Smith.‘Moving towards a community based mental health system will allow patients to receive better care, closer to home, when they need it.’
The bill provides a range of treatment opportunities, including acute inpatient hospital beds, approximately $20 million in new community and peer services programs and housing.It also integrates mental health services with substance abuse, public health, and health care reform initiatives.
H. 630 calls for:
14 acute beds at the Brattleboro Retreat
6 acute beds at theRutlandRegionalMedicalCenter
5 bed secure residential facility
3 intensive residential recovery facilities for transition from acute inpatient treatment to independent living:
15 bed facility inNorthwestern Vermont
8 bed facility inSoutheastern Vermont
8 new beds inCentral Vermont
5 additional sub-acute residential beds
4 crisis beds statewide
The construction of a 25 bed state owned and operated acute care facility to be built inCentral Vermont.It is estimated to take about 2.5 years before the facility will be operational.
In the interim, 7-12 beds will be housed at Fletcher Allen Health Care (FAHC).Additionally, the bill authorizes the Commissioner of Mental Health to provide acute inpatient beds at another yet to be determined facility.
The bill also grants former state hospital employees the opportunity to exercise reemployments rights to fill positions in the new state operated acute bed facility. H. 630, advanced by a vote of 123-3, will be considered for final passage in the House Friday before it heads to the Senate for its consideration.
Vermont Speaker of the House. 2.2.2012