Dallas County’s largest mental health provider, Metrocare, is facing a severe financial crisis. The provider is managing intellectual disability and primary care services for veterans and families who need some care of their own.
Financial Distress
According to Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, an influx of money won’t save Metrocare, and the provider has got to make major changes. The behavioral health provider is in financial distress, operating with a revenue deficit of more than $7 million a year to date. June operating expenses are 19% below expectations with little to no cash flow on hand.
Estimates suggest that Metrocare needs $10 to $14 million just to keep going, but that is not the financial fix needed. Price says other mental health treatment should be turned over to the North Texas behavioral health authority, and let that group contract with others in the community to provide that mental health care.
Possible Partnership
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins acknowledges the financial stress Metrocare is under but sees a way where Parkland Health System can come alongside Metrocare and benefit from a partnership as well. Judge Jenkins thinks the answer is Parkland’s management over Metrocare’s finances, and Metrocare continues as it is.
Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
