Tab for Marin mental health client care soars $2 million

April 23--Housing and care for Marin's mental health clients is becoming so expensive that costs have nearly doubled, prompting county supervisors to increase a care contract by $2 million.

The county is "being priced out of the market" due to a "structural problem in Marin with the cost of housing," but at the same time "can't discharge into the community people who need a protective environment" to cope with mental health issues, health chief Larry Meredith told the county board this week.

He said a master contract with 20 facilities that provide residential services to 114 mental health and substance abuse clients must be increased to $4.8 million, about $2 million more than last year, in light of increasing rates and more clients, including those needing placement in facilities providing higher levels of care. Most facilities providing care are outside the county.

"The level of care varies from home-like settings to locked facilities, with the goal of eventually achieving re-integration into the community and avoiding hospitalization," he said.

Meredith told the board that top staffers "are moving funds around so we can cover" the increasing costs.

Supervisor Katie Rice called it a "staggering amount of money" that "when broken down amounts to about $100 a day" per patient. Officials later indicated the $4.8 million contract will pay for 43,200 bed days costing from $87 to $260 per bed day.

Supervisor Steve Kinsey, saying county general fund money picks up about half the tab, noted that Marin officials "put a high value on these needs" and suggested the county consider devoting federal block grant money to help cover part of the bill while offsetting local costs.

"This is absolutely a challenge," Supervisor Kate Sears said.

Contact Nels Johnson via email at njohnson@marinij.com. Follow him at twitter.com/nelsjohnsonnews

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