Everyone wants better mental health care, but are they willing to pay for it?

I was disappointed, though not surprised, by the Department of Justice report that criticized Jefferson County for its system of services for adults with serious mental illness. The report seems to suggest that those responsible for implementing services are somehow negligent, failing to provide an ideal system of treatment and support. While I agree that the system is far from optimal, it is slanderous to suggest that people in Frankfort or Louisville are responsible for the system’s shortcomings. In fact, it is remarkable that service providers are able to accomplish so much with such hopelessly inadequate resources.

There is not a single person working in the system who would not be willing to do virtually everything the Department of Justice recommends. So why don’t you do it? Well, readers, take a look in the mirror. The shameful fact is that you are unwilling to pay the taxes that would be required for Kentucky to provide the services it needs. Instead of providing funds to improve services, you all get a personal income tax break.

—Timothy Hawley, 40299

This article originally appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: Want Better Mental Health Services? Stop Looking for a Tax Break.