City set to slash AltaPointe funding

MOBILE, Ala (WPMI) — In the proposed budget, Mobile is scaling back how much it doles out to mental health care provider AltaPointe. Leaders are looking to slash $200,000 from the performance contract. AltaPointe argues a loss of funding will directly impact its ability to serve the community, but council member Scott Jones challenged that notion and had a direct line of questioning for AltaPointe's CEO Tuerk Schlesinger at Tuesday's council meeting.

"In the last two weeks have you turned away mental health care patients because you did not have the bed space? Yes or no?" asked Jones.

"I would think that would be the case. We have been struggling at EastPointe Hospital," replied Schlesinger.

Councilman Ben Reynolds said the contentious questioning was for a different time and place and asked the council to move on with the meeting. Jones pounced after AltaPointe's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sandra Parker pleaded with the council not to cut the non-profit's performance contract from $600,000 to $400,000. She told the council EastPointe Hospital, which treats adult psychiatric patients, loses $4 million a year.

"We are shocked that we have to be here to defend our budget," said Parker.

The $200,000 AltaPointe is set to lose, Veterans Recovery Resources will gain in its first performance contract with the city.

"We must make access to mental health care and substance abuse treatment a top priority," said VRR Executive Director John Kilpatrick.

"We do not mind other people getting money and joining in providing health care," said Parker. "But what we don't want is for you to take our money."

The council is still in budget talks, and no final decisions were reached. AltaPointe says its annual budget is $120 million and made a gross profit of $450,000 last year.