Only donate if we've informed you about important Michigan issues
See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:
- “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
- “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
- “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.
If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!
Opinion | Making strides in Michigan’s mental health care
Share this:
When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, timely, efficient care is paramount.
There’s been a tremendous amount of work in recent years to improve mental health care in Michigan. I recently introduced legislation to take us even further in recognizing mental health care needs and ensuring those who are struggling receive the care they deserve.
Earlier this summer, Sen. Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit, and I introduced legislation in the Senate to create a statewide framework for behavioral health transportation and address current shortfalls in patient care, costs, safety and efficiency. Reps. Steve Frisbie, R-Pennfield Township, and Amos O’Neal, D-Saginaw, introduced similar legislation in the House.
Currently, Michigan doesn’t recognize specialized behavioral health transportation for people experiencing an acute mental health crisis. While some companies have developed specialized transportation services, individuals are generally transported by ambulance or law enforcement. That’s neither the most cost-effective option nor the best option for the patient.
The framework of these bills would establish guidelines for behavioral health transportation, including interfacility transfers and transportation to mental health evaluations. They would also create a safer, more patient-centered and significantly more cost-effective option than what’s currently available.
I recently led a roundtable meeting with fellow lawmakers and medical professionals to discuss the legislation and gather input from every level of the industry about these proposed reforms.
A clear consensus emerged that Michigan’s mental health care system needs meaningful changes to improve efficiency, lower overall healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
The bills would make behavioral health transportation a Medicaid-covered service, ensuring patients aren’t hindered by the financial burden of getting to treatment.
Additionally, hospitals would no longer need to use emergency vehicles designed for patients needing trauma care for behavioral health transportation. Specialized vehicles would provide a better option for people in crisis while helping hospitals deliver better care by freeing up acute beds for lifesaving treatment rather than using critical resources on patients waiting for transportation. That would lead to more direct care for patients, greater efficiency and lower costs throughout our health system.
Tragic incidents have emphasized and studies have shown how important specialized vehicles and properly trained providers are to ensuring better care when transporting an individual experiencing a mental health emergency.
The legislation includes guidelines requiring specialized vehicles to be equipped with safety features like partitions and disabled rear-seat controls. Providers would also be required to complete specialized training in Mental Health First Aid, CPR, trauma-informed care, de-escalation techniques and other patient protections.
Having professionals trained to compassionately interact with individuals during transport results in effective, efficient and safe de-escalation efforts and often results in reduced needs for de-escalation at receiving facilities. In addition, these purpose-built vehicles have been shown to drastically improve safety and reduce anxiety during transportation by providing a safer, more comfortable ride. This basic, human-centered approach not only shows compassion but often facilitates further care and reduces the length of treatment.
During the roundtable discussion, Rep. Frisbie, who served for decades as a paramedic, shared instances of paramedics driving patients up to eight hours one way. That’s 16 hours those paramedics are unavailable to do the jobs they were trained to do, leaving local communities without emergency services. In many cases, the ambulance wasn’t the right resource. It was simply the only one available.
We can do better.
We can create a system that prioritizes compassionate care during a crisis, reduces costs, ensures responsible use of taxpayer dollars and keeps first responders available to save lives in their own communities.
These needed changes would put the right people together at the right time and improve patient care at every level. To some, these reforms may seem minuscule, but for those who need this care, they’ll make an incredible difference in their journey toward healing.
Related
Bridge welcomes guest columns from a diverse range of people on issues relating to Michigan and its future. The views and assertions of these writers do not necessarily reflect those of Bridge or The Center for Michigan. Bridge does not endorse any individual guest commentary submission. If you are interested in submitting a guest commentary, email your submission or idea to guestcommentary@bridgemi.com. Click here for details and submission guidelines.