The Shumlin administration has agreed to restore some of the cuts it made to reimbursement rates for Medicaid mental health providers.

On the eve of the Legislative session, the Shumlin Administration says a big funding question has been settled. Federal funds and insurance payments will cover about 70 percent of the cost of a new state hospital and other improvements to the mental health system.

We discuss the challenges the Department of Mental Health is facing and the plans for navigating forward as it still feels the effects of Tropical Storm Irene.

The state mental health system has suffered another setback with the resignation of the medical director of the Vermont State Hospital. The system was already under strain with patients needing psychiatric help waiting days in emergency rooms for care.

An annual Montpelier conference on mental health drew different political perspectives on a single-payer health care system.

A panel of lawmakers and state officials will take testimony this afternoon from people concerned about the future of mental health and substance abuse services in Vermont.

When Tropical Storm Irene forced the closure of the Vermont State Hospital last year, it meant the loss of more than 50 beds for psychiatric patients. And that has resulted in an increase in the number of people who are waiting in emergency rooms because there aren't enough mental health beds available.

We get an update from Mental Health Commissioner Patrick Flood on how the state is coping a year after the closure of the state hospital in Waterbury and we hear about a new program that helps families discuss end-of-life care.

The state says it's making progress on many levels as it overhauls Vermont's system of mental health care. But officials are troubled by one disturbing sign: an increasing number of people are waiting in emergency rooms because there aren't enough mental health beds available.

The state's new mental health care system will rely on two private hospitals to care for psychiatric patients, in addition to building a new state facility.

These were some of the voices in the news this week.

The new law calls for the state to replace the outdated 54-bed state mental health hospital that formerly operated in Waterbury before it was badly damaged by Tropical Storm Irene's floods last year.

A new program has been created to help people who are dealing with the emotional impact of Tropical Storm Irene. Starting Over Strong, which offers free short-term support, is funded by FEMA.

The Shumlin administration wants to implement a performance-based contracting system to pay mental health care providers. And if that doesn't cut costs, the state may put some of the services out to competitive bid.

Governor Peter Shumlin's budget would cut about $11 million from mental health programs. But advocates say the cuts would break a promise the state made 30 years ago when it made a fundamental change to the way mental health care is provided in Vermont. 

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with Vermont's Mental Health Commissioner Michael Hartman and Representative Anne Donahue about why the Vermont State Hospital lost certification, and what it means for the state's budget and the hospital's future. 

Federal regulators have again denied certification to the Vermont State Hospital.  We talk about why, and what it means for the hospital's future.  Also, a talk with Alistair Cooke's daughter.

The Vermont State Hospital has been close to capacity this summer and fall, putting a strain on mental health services around the state.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with Dr. Rob Simpson president and CEO of the Brattleboro Retreat, to learn why the organization has expanded its addiction and recovery programs to focus on niche segments of our population.