As someone who has worked it the mental health field in both the public and private sector, I have seen the direct impact skills training services have on hospitalization rates, incarceration, and most importantly the lives of our friends, family and neighbors with mental illness. New regulations seek to decrease costs for the state and taxpayers, but what is the real result when services are cut? Increased reliance on emergency services in an already overburdened system, increased incarcerations at taxpayer expense (especially when the capacity of emergency services is exceeded- See Florida as a prime example) and again most importantly the human cost of ignoring those most in need. Preventative in-home care saves money, and is the preferable treatment.

This said, there are many unscrupulous providers. These people have used bribes to enroll in services, provide services to those who do not qualify or who do not need the benefit, and occasionally commit outright billing fraud. These practices need to be stopped. If current preauthorization standards and audits of service were enforced, these companies would no longer be in business, and we would not be wasting what must be millions on unnecessary and unhelpful services. 

Please step up enforcement of existing industry regulations and do not reduce services for those who need them most. Virginia deserves better than the counterproductive measure proposed.