Capitol Letters: Where does $1.28 billion go?

State Rep. Megan Jones

To good cause: mental health.

Iowans and the legislature have made mental health a priority by passing significant legislation over the last many years. These bills include efforts to expand access to mental health services for all ages, create a sustainable, long-term funding system, provide training to help schools address student mental health needs, and increase the mental health workforce throughout the state.

The chart below shows that the total amount spent in taxpayer dollars towards mental health services in Iowa in fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024) was over $1.277 billion.

This does not include any of the below appropriations that the legislature has made over the last two years which amounts to an additional $67.5 million annually when combined with federal matching funds.

• Provided $9.65 million increase of funding and employees to specialize the Independence Mental Health Institute to behaviorally complex youth and the Cherokee MHI to acute and forensic adults.
• $4.8 million to establish nine psychiatry residencies through the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, with a focus on training at state facilities, including the mental health institutes, Eldora State Training School and Woodward Resource Center.
• The FY 2025 HHS Budget (HF2698) provided $2.38 million in increased state funding towards mental health Medicaid rates.
• $750,000 for new ChildServe buildings to care for children with autism.
• $369,000 in state general fund for enhanced rates to Psychiatric Medical Institutions for Children to care for the most complex children in our state.
• HF2673 provided $3 million from the regional incentive fund for the 988 call line.
• $28.6 million from the Opioid Settlement fund

We will continue to monitor progress in expanding access to mental health treatment throughout the state, and are committed to evaluating additional funding needs in the future.

Contact Megan Jones by email: megan.jones@legis.iowa.gov.