Rep. Roger Byrd chaired a meeting today, with Reps. Louise McBee and Carl von Epps attending, in an effort to discuss some recommendations on dealing with HB 332 and HB 498 and the issues surrounding the delivery of mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services to clients in the community. After the Olmstead decision, the State made efforts in moving clients out of hospitals and into the community. Following a number of hearings around the State on the issues and after hearing from Commissioner Jim Martin and his Department’s efforts on working with investigations on making certain that clients were getting appropriate care, the Committee decided to make its recommendations. Rep. Byrd explained that ample evidence had been gathered from the hearings. Rep. Byrd also noted that the findings will include the facts that: 1) the system in place is not working; 2) the system lacks accountability at the Regional Board level; 3) the dollars spent are not allocated appropriately; 4) there are problems with administrative costs; and 5) there are conflicts with the Boards. Rep. Byrd is going to recommend that the General Assembly work with the legislation already in Committees. Specifically, the Committee will recommend that the bill currently in the Senate, HB 498, be moved forward. Once passed, a Conference Committee can be appointed early in the Session to address the remaining issues and problems with the bill.

In the discussions today, a number of questions were raised. Some addressed the number of institutions remaining in the State treating the mentally retarded. Per Commissioner Martin, there is only one state-owned hospital, Gracewood. There are approximately 1,400 and 1,500 beds in State hospitals which may be used for the purpose of dealing with these patients. There is also one private provider in the Valdosta area which is a 120-bed facility. Rep. McBee asked whether persons appointed to boards were told the importance of the appointment – stressing that persons, even though volunteers, need to know that they must attend meetings and participate as boards need to take actions with a quorum present. A representative of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia ("ACCG") explained that it was trying to meet with newly elected commissioners to explain the importance of these appointments and obligations associated with serving on the boards. ACCG has even had various individuals from the Department of Human Resources present at training sessions to stress the point of the importance of the appointments. Jim Sanders, who has voiced major opposition to HB 100, claimed that the "regional planning units’ do not serve a function and that the Legislators needed to address those as well as the Regional Boards. Rep. McBee also asked some questions relating to the handling of contracts. According to Commissioner Martin, federal Medicaid dollars and billing requirements need a regional system (which in turn are supervised by the State). Mr. Sanders also stated that the revenue maximization efforts, undertaken by the Division of Children and Family Services along with the Community Service Boards, is also being staffed by the Regional Boards – an apparent duplication of efforts.