Tallahassee, Fla. (WTXL) -- The Florida Legislature is considering a bill that would affect how the state pays for people in need of emergency mental health care.
Currently, the state contracts with both public and private Crisis Stabilization Units to provide emergency mental health treatment. The average cost is $300 a day per bed regardless of whether there is someone receiving treatment. This is to guarantee that anyone who needs help can get it.
The Baker Act is the quickest way for people who suffer from mental breakdowns to get the help they need and if someone is a threat to themselves or to others, that person can be held and evaluated for up to 72 hours, voluntarily or involuntarily.
The new bill cuts guaranteed funding by 75% and all excess patients would be sent to private hospitals. The hospitals would receive $1,200 a day for each patient receiving treatment but the hospitals would not be paid for unused beds.
The bill was introduced by the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee.
Critics say this bill would only benefit large hospital systems.
