The Problem
Idaho faces a growing mental health and addiction crisis. Wait times for treatment are long, beds are scarce, and services are fragmented across agencies and providers. Many individuals with severe mental illness or substance use disorders end up in emergency rooms, jails, or on the streets instead of getting timely care. Families struggle to find help, rural areas have even fewer options, and current funding is often misallocated or underutilized. This leads to higher costs in corrections, emergency services, and lost productivity while people suffer without adequate support.
What I'll Do Day One as Governor
Sign an executive order to prioritize and coordinate mental health and addiction services using existing resources. Right away:
Direct the Department of Health and Welfare and Department of Correction to prioritize existing state-funded treatment beds and services for acute cases, including those experiencing homelessness or criminal justice involvement.
Partner with local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and private providers to expand access to outpatient and crisis services through matching grants funded by savings from other reforms.
Require agencies to submit quarterly reports on treatment wait times, bed availability, and outcomes (such as treatment completion rates and recidivism reduction), posted on Transparent Idaho.
Launch pilots in three to five high-need regions (such as Treasure Valley, northern Idaho, and eastern rural areas) to test coordinated care models and faster access, with results posted in ninety days.
Use savings from Budget Allocation, State Procurement and Contracts, Agency Performance Audits, and Grant and Nonprofit Funding reforms to fund expanded treatment capacity and outreach (no new spending).
This uses powers I already have under executive oversight of state agencies and existing mental health and substance abuse statutes. No new laws needed first.
How This Is Different From Now
Right now, mental health and addiction services are under-resourced, fragmented, and often reactive. Funding is spread thin, rural areas are underserved, and there is little coordination between agencies or providers. This way shifts to results-driven prioritization, faster access for acute cases, and coordinated partnerships. It enforces existing funding and treatment laws more effectively, redirects savings to proven services, and ensures help reaches those who need it most without creating new programs or spending.
What I'll Push the Legislature For
Easy laws to make it permanent:
Require prioritization of state-funded mental health and addiction beds for acute cases, including those in crisis or justice-involved.
Authorize matching grants (funded by existing savings) for local providers that achieve high treatment completion and recidivism reduction rates.
Mandate quarterly public reporting of wait times, bed availability, and outcomes on Transparent Idaho.
Strengthen coordination between state agencies and local providers for crisis response and long-term care.
No big new spending. All expansion is funded by savings from waste-cutting reforms.
How We'll Check It Works
We will keep it honest with:
Public postings on Transparent Idaho showing treatment wait times, bed availability, outcomes, and grant performance.
Regular audits of fund use, treatment access, and agency compliance.
Citizens Task Force to review trends, gather input from providers, families, and individuals, and recommend improvements.
Yearly report on treatment capacity, completion rates, recidivism reduction, and cost per person served.
Everything open for anyone to look at and ask about.
How This Connects to Other Reforms
This reform prioritizes existing treatment funds for acute cases and coordinates care, using savings from budget, procurement, audits, and grant reforms to expand access. Housing Supply Acceleration and Rental Fairness reforms provide stable housing options for recovery. Pathways Home reform shares transition resources. Audits verify treatment outcomes. Workforce reform supports staffing for mental health services. This reform uses the efficiency from the others to reduce crisis costs and improve lives.
Answers to Common Questions
Won't this be too expensive or require new funding?
No. All expansion uses savings from Budget Allocation, Procurement and Contracts, Audits, and Grant reforms. No new taxes or spending are required.
How do we prioritize acute cases without ignoring others?
Existing funds are reallocated to ensure those in crisis get immediate help while outpatient and prevention services continue. Agencies must report on all services to maintain balance.
What about rural areas with limited providers?
The Citizens Task Force includes rural voices. Pilots and matching grants prioritize rural access and support local providers.
Does this connect to the Housing Supply Acceleration Reform?
Yes. More stable housing from increased supply provides a foundation for treatment success and reduces homelessness driven by untreated mental health issues.
How does this connect to the Rental Market Fairness Reform?
Improved rental transparency and accountability help individuals in treatment find stable housing options, supporting recovery and reducing relapse.
How does this connect to agency performance audits?
Audits verify treatment outcomes, bed utilization, and fund allocation efficiency.
What about privacy concerns with reporting?
All data is anonymized and aggregated. Individual cases are protected under existing privacy laws.
How will we know if it is working?
Public reports on Transparent Idaho will track wait times, treatment completion, recidivism reduction, and capacity improvements. Citizen input helps measure real impact.
What if providers resist coordination?
The executive order requires agency cooperation. Partnerships are voluntary for nonprofits, with incentives for participation.
How do we avoid creating dependency on state services?
Programs emphasize treatment, work participation, and stable housing to promote independence and long-term recovery.