Mental health is a contributing factor of homelessness and incarcerations.  Many who suffer from mental illness under the current mental health standards receive substandard care at best.  Placing additional and more stringent policies, without adequate funding, will create an even greater issue of substandard community based mental health care.  In addition many people who DO NOT MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS will be left to suffer.  Where will they go?  To the other inpatient hospital - aka jail, homeless shelters and the like.

Due to the signs and symptoms of mental illness, many people who suffer from a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, may not be alert and oriented x 3 to provide a treatment history, which is now indicated, before interventions can begin.  In addition, many of the poor in VA are numbered by those who suffer from mental illness.  With poverty comes access issues to heath care and medications.  The new standards require prescription for anti-psychotic, mood disorder, and/or anti-depressant medications be written within a 12-month period before assessment.  Again, how many people who suffer from a severe mental illness can provide an adequate history of medications use and efficacy?  

This new policy reminds me of the Regan era of "states rights".  Making rules and policies that do not meet the actual needs of the mental health population or the community based services, will provide a facade of effective intervention but will really be a "wolf in sheep's clothing".