§225g Financing Provisions

Summary

Provides specific federal money and payment rules for Washington, D.C.’s mental health system. It authorizes grants of $30,000,000 for fiscal year 1988, $24,000,000 for fiscal year 1989, $18,000,000 for fiscal year 1990, and $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1991. Starting October 1, 1987, the appropriate federal agency must pay the full cost of mental health diagnosis and treatment for three groups of patients: people sent by a federal law or federal agency; people placed in emergency detention or involuntary commitment after actions or threats against a federal official, on the grounds of the White House or the Capitol, or under chapter 9 of the D.C. Code; and people sent after federal criminal proceedings (including those admitted for observation, found incompetent to stand trial, or found not guilty by reason of insanity). That rule covers referrals before or after November 8, 1984. During the transition, D.C. must gradually take on more costs for patients not covered above. Capital work at Saint Elizabeths Hospital during the transition is paid by both D.C. and the federal government under existing law. An audit will identify any unassigned hospital liabilities, which the federal government will assume. After the transition, the Secretary must audit accrued annual leave liability for employees moved to D.C., and Congress may appropriate funds to pay that liability. D.C. may still bill others under other laws, but the same costs may not be collected from more than one party. The United States alone is responsible for claims and judgments against Saint Elizabeths that arise before October 1, 1987, with special rules for tort claims and settlements that affect D.C.