The percentage of mental health and substance abuse services that are paid for with public funding is increasing, according to a study that was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Public sources paid for 63% of mental health spending in 2001, up from 57% 10 years earlier, according to the study.
Similarly, the percentage of substance abuse treatment services paid for by public sources rose from 62% to 76% over the same period, the study found.
Public spending was defined, for the purposes of this study, as including Medicaid, Medicare, and spending by all levels of government—federal, state, and local.
“Overall, we have seen a decline in inpatient spending and a shift to publicly financed care,” said SAMHSA administrator Charles Curie.
“As we continue to work to improve the community-based services available to people in need, it is clear the public sector is now the major financial driver,” Mr. Curie added.