As the state wrestles over which agency should control funds from the
sale of the old State Hospital in Columbia, a bill has been introduced in
the General Assembly to assure that the money is spent on mental health
services, regardless of which agency is in control.
That bill, introduced last week, has what mental health advocates say
is a surprising level of support, with 25 co-sponsors.
"It will end this debate over what should happen with that money," said
one of those co-sponsors, Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, the Senate
president pro tempore. He said the bill will likely pass or could be
included as a proviso in the budget.
The State Hospital has been gradually emptied over the years. It is now
home to some administrative offices plus inpatient and outpatient services
for mentally ill children. About 60 children are housed there, said John
Hutto, a spokesman for the state Department of Mental Health.
The department is waiting for proposals, due March 1, from private
providers for treating those children, Hutto said.
The state wants to sell the 178-acre property, which, thanks to its
location near downtown Columbia, is a prime piece of real estate that
could fetch at least $14 million. Some published estimates say it could
sell for as much as $37 million.
There is some question as to whether the mental health department or
the Budget and Control Board controls the property and thus would receive
the proceeds from the sale. The Mental Health Commission plans to ask the
state Supreme Court this week for an opinion on the issue. Some officials
believe the property is surplus, so the proceeds should go into state
coffers. Gov. Mark Sanford has said the funds should be used to pay off
debt. Others, however, think the money should be used to restore some of
the mental health funding that has been lost over the years.
A temporary law approved last year allowed state agencies to keep half
of what they make from the sale of property, with the rest going into the
general fund. And late last year, Attorney General Henry McMaster said
proceeds from the sale of the State Hospital should "at the very least" be
used to treat the mentally ill.
The Senate bill would make that happen. Funds from the sale would be
put into a trust and could be used to fund long-term hospitalization and
forensic services.
"That is a resource that currently is dedicated and being used for
mental health," said State Sen. Wes Hayes, R-Rock Hill, the bill's primary
sponsor. "If the property is sold, we already have a tremendous need for
those beds and for that treatment. I think it's important to keep the
resources in mental health instead of just having them go into the general
fund."
Hutto said his department has many needs and would "welcome revenue
from whatever source." He would not comment on the proposed destination
for those funds. Forensic services provide treatment to people charged
with a crime who are found not guilty by reason of insanity or not
competent to stand trial. The services are provided in a small facility
with little room for expansion, said David Almeida, executive director of
the state chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. As a
result, Almeida said, many are left waiting in jails.
The bigger problem involves the long-term beds. Many long-term mental
patients are taking up beds meant for people with serious short-term
problems.
That is clogging the state's beds, which in turn causes long waits by
mental health patients in the state's emergency rooms, Almeida said.
Some advocates think the best way for the state to address these issues
is to use funds from the sale of the state hospital.
"It may be the only way," Hayes said.
Reach Jonathan Maze at 937-5719 or jmaze@postandcourier.com.