March
22, 2006
Budget Update: Today the mental hygiene committees in the
Senate and Assembly reached agreement on how they are to spend
the $20 million in additional funding for mental hygiene.
Late
this afternoon, the mental hygiene committees’ additions
were approved by the Assembly and Senate leadership. Barring any
unforeseen circumstances (which is always possible in Albany),
this will be this year final additions to the mental hygiene budget.
As a brief editorial comments, although I think the Assembly and
Senate did a very good job in putting together additions for many
significant programs (including recognition of some of our priorities)—it
is a shame that we are fighting over a total pool of $20 million
dollars for all of mental hygiene including less than $13 million
for mental health. In a year where the budget is the best it has
been in several years, it continues to frustrate all of us that
we are fighting for an incredibly small piece of the pie. After
the legislative session ends, both Michael and I will be spending
a great deal of time increasing our grassroots efforts around
the state. Only through a strong grassroots network and voter
empowerment effort, will we be able to dramatically increase our
‘piece of the pie’ in the future.
The
highlights in mental health include:
-
$12,825,000
Million (Total)
-
$4,365,000
million for consumer oriented and childrens’ programs.
This was the focus of our advocacy along with our colleagues
in the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery to bump up the
funding for these non-Medicaid programs. We are still waiting
to see the specific language surrounding these additions.
-
$1
million for Family Support Programs
-
$2
million to equalize rates for COPS and non-COPS providers
-
$850,000
for a supported housing increase for upstate providers
-
$810,000
for scattered site housing for adult home residents —
This is an important recognition of the needs of those adult
home residents who would like to move to more independent
housing in the community.
-
$650,000
for Alternative Rate Methodology
-
$500,000
for Transitional Housing Task Force — This is for funding
that will help responds to the housing needs of 18-25 year
olds. Responding to the transitional needs of this population
has clearly become a MHANYS priority
-
$500,000
for Nathan Kline Institute
-
$500,000
for Psychiatric Institute
-
$300,000
for eating disorders (not specified)
Other
Highlights
-
The
Assembly and Senate mental hygiene committees agreed to the
two and a half percent COLA. Their language indicated that
it would largely be focused on direct care staff and for critical
non personnel related expenses. We will provide more detail
as we get specific language
-
The
Mental Hygiene Committees in the Senate and Assembly have
asked that the leadership in their houses address the $130
million in funding for Camp Pharsalia. The $30 million in
funding for new beds for sexual offenders will remain in the
budget. These are targeted to an empty building on the grounds
of St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center, Central New York Psychiatric
Center (a forensic facility) and Rochester. We will continue
to advocate that there be no co-mingling of psychiatric patients
with sexual offenders. We will also continue our advocacy
on this issue especially as it pertains to discrete resources
for sexual offenders not as part of the mental hygiene budget
and funding for preventative services.
-
In
the Health Table, we will continue our fight to insure that
physician prevails language remain in the Preferred Drug List
and that there is a permanent wrap around for dual eligible
individuals on Medicare Part D.
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