Lawmakers are struggling with how to transform Iowa's 99-county system for providing mental-health services into a more uniform, statewide network. The underfunded system presently leaves thousands waiting for services.
"Those are the people probably suffering the most right now," said Margaret Stout, who for 25 years was executive director of Iowa's chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a not-for-profit that provides mental-health education, advocacy, and support.
Iowa's adult-mental-health system provided services to 52,059 people last fiscal year, according to the Iowa State Association of Counties. Underfunding leaves thousands more without needed services. The system has an anticipated $51.4-million shortfall in Fiscal Year 2013, according to the state's Legislative Services Agency.