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January 22, 2008Press Release Press Release Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc. For
Release: January 22, 2008 Mental
Health Association in New York State Praises Despite a large budget deficit, Governor Spitzer, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to individuals with psychiatric disabilities in the executive budget announced today according to the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS). Glenn Liebman, CEO of MHANYS said, “Governor Spitzer and Mental Health Commissioner Michael Hogan have shown a very strong commitment to people with psychiatric disability in this year’s budget by adding funding and resources to areas of extreme importance, including workforce and housing.” The administration has continued the third year of funding for the COLA for human service workers and it has also committed almost $400 million to continue the COLA for three additional years. “This COLA funding commitment sends a strong message to the community and will help retain and recruit mental health workers,” Liebman said. The housing initiative in the proposed budget includes 2,000 new beds. Additional units for people with disabilities will be developed using the Governor’s Housing Opportunity Fund. “This is an unprecedented commitment to new housing for people with psychiatric disabilities,” according to Doug Cooper, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee of MHANYS Board of Directors, “We hope that people with critical needs, including adult home residents and individuals with psychiatric disabilities living with their aging families will be able to secure housing as a result of the Governor’s proposal.” In addition, there is anticipated funding in the budget to pay for Residential Mental Health Units with passage of the SHU Bill, elimination of Medicaid Neutrality Cap, children’s mental health, employment, clinic restructuring, and co-occurring disorders. According to Bob Corliss, Director of Forensic Services for MHANYS, the anticipated funding for the SHU bill represents a “‘win-win’ situation that assures intensive mental health treatment for inmates who require it, reduces the occasion for injuries to officers, and promotes the overall safety and security of our correctional facilities.” “As a member of the Task Force on Co-Occurring Disorders, I am encouraged by the commitment and action taken to address this issue,” said Melissa Ramirez, Project Coordinator of the MHANYS Mental Health Information Center. “This budget drops the Medicaid Neutrality Cap that we have been working to overturn for years”, said Michael Friedman, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the MHA in New York City and the MHA in Westchester County. "This should facilitate desperately needed program expansion." According to Liebman, “We look forward to continuing to work with the Executive and Legislature to get funding for health care enhancements, restoration of antidepressants as part of the mental health medication carve out in the Preferred Drug List, geriatric mental health funding, veterans issues, adult home case managers, employment funding for non-Medicaid programs, cultural centers of excellence and suicide prevention.” “Overall we are very pleased with the budget especially with the increased funding for the priority areas of workforce and housing,” Liebman concluded. The Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) is a not for profit organization dedicated with 30 local affiliates serving 52 counties in New York State. MHANYS and their affiliates work to promote mental health and recovery, eliminate discrimination and raise public awareness and advocate for equality for individuals with psychiatric disabilities
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