Chantal Rozmus
I am writing today in support of the passage of HF2220, a bill for an act related to mental health care. As a community psychiatrist, I see first hand how the mental health care system continues to let Iowans down. The passing of this bill would improve access to a muchneeded level of care that isn't easily accessible in our state: subacute care. Subacute care is currently difficult to access due to a number of reasons. The current requirements of a subacute staff member are above and beyond those of someone who works at an MHI, which is a higher level of care. More beds cannot be opened without staff, and required training is more advanced than it needs to be. This would allow inpatient beds to be opened up for people who are acutely a danger to themselves or others, rather than to be filled with people who need some level of assistance, but not the level of care a hospital provides. This will continue to prioritize returning to the community instead of remaining institutionalized.
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