Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

decision to temporarily freeze some federal

 Medicaid money has left hospital psychiatric units in a dire position. 

Medicaid, which helps low-income people get needed health services, is a crucial funding source for mental health treatment. Without it, hospitals might pull back those services or close down psychiatric units, Marcus Schmit, Minnesota’s executive director for the National Alliance of Mental Illness, told MPR News.

“Those who are being served are really people with serious mental illnesses, low-income adults and people who are in crisis, and those services are expensive,” Schmit said, adding that rural hospitals are especially vulnerable to the funding freeze. 

Schmit added that with closures, most of those who need mental health support will likely end up in emergency rooms or even jail. 

“So unfortunately, if there are fewer beds across the state, they're going to seek out that care in places where we don't want them to be,” he said.

Listen to the full conversation by clicking the player above.

Health

Shows

Morning Edition

On Air

Cathy Wurzer

Host

Lukas Levin

Author

With Medicaid dollars locked up by the Trump administration, many of Minnesota’s health services are losing money.

Medicaid freezes could lead to closure of Minnesota hospital psychiatric units.

Medicaid freeze could lead to Minnesota hospitals closing psychiatric units

A hospital bed sits behind a curtained window. 

Medicaid freeze could lead to Minnesota hospitals closing psychiatric units

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox