I've personally seen somebody up close go from almost living out of a box to working and honestly earning over $300K a year. In less than 5 years.
So, I'm not somebody that's going to fall for the "Slippery Slope Scream"-a-thon that most Freepers seem to share in this thread.
As a Christian, I am instructed to show mercy and kindness to the least among us. If that means part of my tax dollars go to helping someone 'control their demons' (either real or imaginary), I can deal with it. I think that's the compassionate part. I do hope they get the funds from our disastrous foreign aid program, however. I am tired of helping to line the pockets of two-bit dictators.
A psych patient that is well treated and medically supported will cost the taxpayers much less money.
The unnecessary ER visits and inpatient hospitalizations that those patients who are not well managed need would be dramatically cut down.
I would much rather pay a couple hundred dollars a month for medicine and another hundred for a doctor visit than to pay the several thousand dollars a month some of these patients cost in "emergency care" that will not help.
In my career, I was constantly having to take the same patients in to the ER over and over and over again.
Who pays? Medicaid. (taxpayers)
Give me the two hundred dollar a month bill any day over the alternative.
It's easy, He's named Jesus!
As for sharing the costs... that is sarcasm, isn't it? I can't think of much we are not already paying for...