Iowa making mental health changes after settling lawsuit
The state of Iowa has agreed to change how it provides mental health services to children on Medicaid. This action stems from a settlement agreement following a class action lawsuit filed in 2023 by Disability Rights Iowa and other health advocacy groups. The lawsuit, filed against Kelly Garcia, the director of Iowa’s Health and Human Services Department, alleged a “longstanding failure” to provide necessary mental health services. Following more than a year of negotiations, the state and the plaintiffs reached an agreement last month. Last week, a judge gave initial approval to the settlement agreement and set a final approval hearing for early May.The settlement agreement lays out a detailed plan for change. This plan introduces a new care model called Iowa REACH.In a statement, Garcia said the agreement and strategy “signify a major step in the right direction for Iowa youth and their families.””Iowa HHS is fully committed to implementing new strategies and evaluating current outcomes to ensure we are meeting the needs that our children and youth deserve and families expect,” Garcia said. The settlement also requires the state to develop a quality management and accountability structure, ensuring that young Iowans receive appropriate mental health services.The state will also develop and roll out key services across Iowa, including care coordination, intensive in-home services and mobile crisis intervention, according to the settlement agreement. In a statement, Executive Director of Disability Rights Iowa Catherine Johnson said, “We are pleased to be a part of this monumental change in addressing the pitfalls of the current system and finding solutions to improve the mental and physical wellbeing and safety of Iowa’s youth.” The state is required to complete the implementation process by the end of 2032.
The state of Iowa has agreed to change how it provides mental health services to children on Medicaid. This action stems from a settlement agreement following a class action lawsuit filed in 2023 by Disability Rights Iowa and other health advocacy groups.
The lawsuit, filed against Kelly Garcia, the director of Iowa’s Health and Human Services Department, alleged a “longstanding failure” to provide necessary mental health services.
Following more than a year of negotiations, the state and the plaintiffs reached an agreement last month. Last week, a judge gave initial approval to the settlement agreement and set a final approval hearing for early May.
The settlement agreement lays out a detailed plan for change. This plan introduces a new care model called Iowa REACH.
In a statement, Garcia said the agreement and strategy “signify a major step in the right direction for Iowa youth and their families.”
“Iowa HHS is fully committed to implementing new strategies and evaluating current outcomes to ensure we are meeting the needs that our children and youth deserve and families expect,” Garcia said.
The settlement also requires the state to develop a quality management and accountability structure, ensuring that young Iowans receive appropriate mental health services.
The state will also develop and roll out key services across Iowa, including care coordination, intensive in-home services and mobile crisis intervention, according to the settlement agreement.
In a statement, Executive Director of Disability Rights Iowa Catherine Johnson said, “We are pleased to be a part of this monumental change in addressing the pitfalls of the current system and finding solutions to improve the mental and physical wellbeing and safety of Iowa’s youth.”
The state is required to complete the implementation process by the end of 2032.
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