The District's Implementation of Public Law 98-621, the Saint Elizabeths Hospital and District of Columbia Mental Health Services Act

GAO discussed the transition of Saint Elizabeths Hospital from federal to District of Columbia (D.C.) control. GAO noted that: (1) in fiscal years (FY) 1988 and 1989, the federal government provided $57.4 million and $43.4 million, respectively, to fund the transition; (2) in FY 1988 and 1989, D.C.-approved budgets included $152.1 million and $154.3 million, respectively, to run Saint Elizabeths; (3) the D.C. Commission on Mental Health Services planned to use $25.5 million in additional federal funding for renovations and a community-based system, but capital project estimates were incomplete or not fully developed; (4) proposed legislation would provide continued federal funding for the clinical training program; (5) since October 1987, Saint Elizabeths has operated with staff shortages, but officials believe that a community-based mental health system will resolve the shortages; (6) the D.C. Mayor signed an act enabling unlicensed clinical staff to obtain D.C. licenses; (7) the Commission and the D.C. Fire Department reached an agreement regarding the status of Saint Elizabeths firefighters; and (8) in FY 1989 the Commission provided $88,700 in supplies to other D.C. agencies.