SPRINGFIELD – More than 84,000 Iowans live with severe mental illness and only about 35,000 of those are receiving treatment. State Senator Mike Halpin’s bill to allow vulnerable mental health patients from Iowa to use Rock Island mental care facilities passed the Senate Wednesday.

“Our country is in the midst of a mental health crisis that crosses state lines,” said Halpin. “Expanding and maintaining mental health care access is a top priority.”

Senate Bill 188 would allow in-patients from Iowa who are placed involuntarily into the mental health system to be admitted to a mental health institution in Rock Island County.  The goal of this measure is to prevent Iowan involuntary patients from being placed in facilities hours from their hometowns.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 60% of Iowa communities experience a shortage of mental health care. In addition, Iowa ranks last in the nation in staffed psychiatric hospital beds according to the Treatment Advocacy Center.

“Good neighbors help each other out when times get tough,” said Halpin. “This legislation is a win-win for both sides of the river and will give vulnerable Iowans access to high quality care at Rock Island behavioral health institutions.”

Senate Bill 188 passed the Senate and awaits consideration in the House.