by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Department of Mental Health doesn't believe a fee schedule that will be proposed later this month will generate $7 million a year. Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz recently brought up concerns that Mental Health has failed to develop fees for the services it provides for decades resulting in the reliance of $7 million annually from the General Fund.

Mental Health director Wilfred Aflague says he is still reviewing the economic impact of the proposed fees but he estimates they will only generate between $1.5 million and $2 million. A public hearing for the proposed fees will be held on April 26 from 5-7pm at the Department of Mental Health. Aflague says the new schedule will include fees for all the services the department currently provides free of charge including psychological evaluations and substance abuse treatment.

The fees, if approved, will be billed to the individual or their insurance company.