Support given for inpatient behavioral health facility in northern Wisconsin

SHELL LAKE — The Washburn County Board is supporting Polk County in an initiative to address concerns for lack of access to facilities in the region for inpatient acute behavioral health beds.

According to the letter of support drafted by Board Chair Tim Kessler, the lack of facilities for behavioral health in the region has caused pressure on other local entities such as law enforcement, related to transportation and personnel costs, bed location and access. Much of this stemmed from the closure of the facilities in Eau Claire earlier this year, where many patients from the region were given care for behavioral health. The resolution Polk County passed recognizes the increased stress for persons experiencing mental health crises to be more likely transported away from their hometowns. Polk County is urging the Legislature and governor to provide funding (for either another state hospital or subsidies for private or nonprofit organizations) to establish such a facility to serve the northern counties.

The Washburn County Board will acknowledge and support Polk County’s efforts by collecting data and advocating for needs in northern Wisconsin, partner with other counties/agencies to address the problem and advocate for funding to be directed specifically to this region for increased inpatient behavioral health beds.

At the County Board’s Tuesday, July 16 meeting, Health & Human Services Director Marie Schrankel said she understood Mayo Clinic was looking to add beds because of the loss in Eau Claire. The state’s Joint Finance Committee had allocated $15 million to help get Sacred Heart beds back, but the project was abandoned and the money was returned. She said there are rules being created at state level for urgent care crisis facilities to be reception centers for those with behavioral health issues.

However, she said some counties will not take that on, and “the resolution from Polk County is somewhat vague.”

If a patient from a northern county is transported to the Winnebago center, cost comes from taxpayer dollars, Schrankel said. Those transported to private facilities are covered under Medicaid, and up north there is a high population that uses Medicaid because of the high poverty rate.

“My message is to really be careful what you’re asking for,” she said.

This is why the letter of support came through.

Supervisor Bob Olsgard said he was glad the county has the opportunity to do this.

“The process itself may need some more work,” he said.

Working with mental health issues is complicated, he said, and he wished the cost didn’t fall to taxpayers so much.

“This sounds like a good start,” Olsgard said.

The board unanimously approved the letter of support.