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Last spring Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions took control of more than $200 million in Medicaid spending for Mecklenburg County residents with mental illnesses, addictions, autism and similar issues. It was a controversial mandate from the state. County officials wanted to keep local control. Clients and their families feared the focus on cost control would erode care. (Helms, 4/27)

One of the largest providers of mental health services to poor North Siders is closing — just as the state braces for massive mental health care cuts. And Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart’s office is warning that means there will soon be more mentally ill people in jail. (4/24)

The CMS is proposing that inpatient psychiatric facilities get a 1.6% rate increase from Medicare in fiscal 2016 under a proposed rule issued Friday. The proposed policy means Medicare would spend $80 million more on psychiatric facilities in fiscal 2016 than in fiscal 2015. However, the increase is smaller than the 2.5% raise they received for the current year. (Dickson, 4/24)