Mental Health anticipates $12M from fees
After 16 years of providing services for free, the Department of Mental Health is well on its way to implementing fees that would generate upwards of ten to $12 million a year.
By KUAM Newsby Mindy Aguon
Guam - After 16 years of providing services for free, the Department of Mental Health is well on its way to implementing fees that would generate upwards of $10 million to $12 million a year. A hearing was held on Thursday for the proposed fees that include room and board which will cost $749 a night and prescription and professional fees.
Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz was among the handful of people who attended the public hearing and says he's pleased that Mental Health is finally on track to save the government millions. He explained, "They anticipate from the prescription fees they should be able to get reimbursed $3.7 million from the room and board they expect a little over $3.8 million. They weren't able to guesstimate how much they'll get in professional fees, but I estimate it will be about $12 million."
Cruz says even if the department only collects half of the professional fees, Mental Health will still clear about $12 million annually, which frees up that money in the General Fund. The fees are set to be implemented beginning September 1. The fee schedule can be found on the department's website at http://dmhsa.guam.gov.