Shumlin Wants $20 Million More for Mental Health

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An additional $20 million in mental health spending is among a list of mid-year budget adjustments the administration of Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin is proposing to lawmakers.

Finance and Management Commissioner Jim Reardon said Wednesday the federal government is expected to pay more than half of the increase under the joint federal-state Medicaid program

Some of the new costs have arisen as the mental health system retools after flooding from Tropical Strorm Irene closed the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury. Changes include new or expanded state psychiatric services at the Brattleboro Retreat, Fletcher Allen Health Care and the Rutland Regional Medical Center.

Meanwhile, budget writers are grappling with an $11 million downward adjustment in the state's revenue forecast.

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