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JACKSON – The Department of Mental Health would become an executive agency under the direct authority of the governor under a bill passed by the Senate today.
Senate Bill 2567 was authored by Sen. Buck Clarke, R-Hollandale. The agency would operate as an executive agency, just as the departments of Environmental Quality, Corrections, Public Safety, Human Services, Child Protective Services, and the Mississippi Development Authority. Employees would remain under the purview of the Personnel Board.
Mississippi spends almost $600 million annually in state and federal funds caring for mentally ill patients. According to the Mississippi State Medical Association, the state spends more on mental health care than any other state per capita.
Legislators have expressed concern regarding the management of the agency. According to the National Governors Association, Mississippi is one of seven states with a board that oversees a mental health agency. Of those, currently two states are under federal investigation over the management of the agency, including Mississippi.
“There are lot of individuals from doctors to advocacy groups who are deeply concerned about how the Department of Mental Health is being operated, and I believe moving the agency under the Office of the Governor may provide accountability to the taxpayers and improve patient care,” Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said.
In 2015, Lt. Gov. Reeves proposed a review of the agency. However, the agency fought those efforts and sent state employees to the Capitol to successfully lobby against the study.
