Western Michigan Could See Changes In Mental Health, Substance Abuse Services For Low-Income Residents

Circle Connections: Policy & Regulatory Updates In an effort to shrink the size and complexity of the existing behavioral health system, the state of Michigan is seeking to reduce from 18 to 10 the number of state prepaid inpatient health plans through which Medicaid dollars flow. Paul Ippel, executive director of Kent County's Network 180, concedes the changes may seem bureaucratic but adds they also provide opportunities for improved and more equitable services. Plans are in the works to merge Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Muskegon, Lake, Mason and Oceana counties into a single community mental health group to accomplish that . . .