The 'millionaires tax' and mental health policy in California.
Despite long-standing and widespread opposition to new taxes, in 2004 Californians approved a so-called millionaires tax, levied on those with taxable net income over $1 million. The proceeds, estimated to be $700 million to $1 billion per year, can only be spent on improving mental health services for people with or at risk of a disabling mental disorder. Progress has been made in access to services, prevention programs, supported housing, and integrating mental health with the other human services. Challenges include a complex administrative structure, a paucity of change agents, a less-than-robust oversight and accountability process, and high public expectations.
Bay Area Foundation in San Francisco, USA. saulfeldman@lycos.com
Saul
S
Feldman
D002140:California; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007183:Income Tax / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011640:Public Policy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors