State Budget Reductions Force Local Mental Health Cuts

King County Press Release (Seattle, WA): Hundreds of men and women across King County will be unable to get needed mental health services because of funding allocation decisions made by the state last year that seriously reduces King County's allotment. Those decisions dramatically reduce funding for King County's already strained mental health system, while redirecting those funds in some cases to counties where they are not needed. The impact of the cuts is expected to be severe. As of January 1, 2006, King County has been forced to close the door to mental health services for low-income individuals who are not covered by Medicaid. Those cutbacks in service could be reversed if the state approves an emergency budget supplemental appropriation of $7.4 million in the opening days of the upcoming 2006 session.