Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc.
(Publication Archives)

Community Connections, Fall 2003

Stand Up and Be Counted at MHANYS' Public Hearing
By Michael Seereiter, Director of Public Policy, MHANYS

As part of MHANYS commitment to ensure that consumers and providers take the lead in the development of our annual legislative agenda, MHANYS holds an annual public hearing each year in the fall to solicit input from everyone with an interest in the mental health system. This process allows MHANYS to receive input on a broad range of issues from those who are most affected by the policies of the State of New York regarding mental health issues. MHANYS' public policy team will use the testimony to create the MHANYS Legislative Program.

In past years, Mental Health Association (MHA) affiliates, Mental Health Action Network, and various other interested parties have testified. As this process continues, the variety of points of view expands, and the results appear in MHANYS' increasingly comprehensive Legislative Program. Recently, testimony has included such topics as: ending health insurance discrimination by enacting parity for mental health and chemical dependency; reform criminal justice/mental health system overlap to ensure appropriate diversion; treatment and access to ser-vices; extension of legislation authorizing reinvestment of funds for community-based services; a cost-of-living increase for direct care workers; a Medicaid fee increase for local providers, coordination of children's services, protection of families, and blending of funding.

All are invited to offer comments on pressing public policy issues by testifying on October 23, 2003 at MHANYS 2004 Legislative Hearing to be held at the Albany Marriott Hotel. To testify, fill out the hearing Reply Form found at www.mhanys.org/pubpol/pp_pubhearing2004flyer.htm.

posted 9/18/03