Port Townsend, Wash.-based Jefferson Healthcare may decline a $1.5 million grant it was awarded to build a seven-bed inpatient psychiatric facility and instead opt for a less costly approach to expanding care for mental and behavioral health patients, according to PTLeader.com.
Mike Glenn, Jefferson Healthcare CEO, told hospital commissioners April 20 that building the seven-bed inpatient unit would cost the system $2 million to $2.5 million, in addition to the $1.5 million grant, according to the report. The unit would also incur annual income losses of $2 million.
The hospital initially lobbied for an additional $1 million in capital funding after receiving the $1.5 million grant in 2015, but the money wasn't in the state's budget.
In place of the inpatient facility, Mr. Glenn has proposed building a two-bed crisis and stabilization unit, which would include the development of a new program, a policy and procedure manual, telepsychiatric consulting services and an enhanced partnership with Jefferson Mental Health Services.
A formal vote on Mr. Glenn's recommendation to return the funding is expected to occur at the board of commissioners meeting on May 18. If the board votes to decline the funding at that time, the money would go back to a fund reserved for mental health programs and another organization could apply for it. If the board doesn't make a decision by mid-May, the money would go to the state's general fund, according to the report.