BRIEF: Official: Nevada mental health system crisis has faded

April 23--CARSON CITY -- A crisis that plagued the state's mental health system in Las Vegas two years ago has faded, as more private hospitals are taking patients for an increased payment rate.

Dr. Tracey Green, chief medical officer for the state, told a joint budget subcommittee today that the state has been able to reduce the number of patients at the Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital. The number of people in hospital emergency rooms waiting to be transferred to the facility has also decreased.

Two years ago, the state faced a loss of federal funds because the hospital was not up to national standards; Rawson-Neal lost its certification by the Joint Commission on Accreditation.

The hospital has since gained accreditation and is no longer in danger of losing federal funds.

"Last (legislative) session we were struggling," Green testified.

The state also increased the reimbursement rate for private psychiatric facilities to care for patients from $464 a day to $940.

Still pending is a lawsuit filed in San Francisco against the state for busing its patients to California without adequate follow-up care instructions.

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