The BHCoalition
The Behavioral Health Coalition ofPennsylvania
The PA Behavioral Health Coalition Opposes Dismantling of the Behavioral Health System and Devastating Budget Cuts
The proposed state budget with massive cuts and a major public policy shift to a block grant funding model promises to devastate the current system and poses significant risks to those most in need of the Commonwealth’s support.For over 40 years, Pennsylvania has worked to develop one of the most effective community behavioral health system in the country. In lieu of state hospitals, Pennsylvania developed a community services model. State institutions have been closed or downsized, community providers have built local services, peer services have been incorporated into the available array of services and the movement to a model focused on recovery and resiliency has progressed.
The proposed block grant is a major shift in public policy that was developed with no stakeholder participation.The block grant uses behavioral health funds as the primary source of support for the human services block grant. Approximately 73 percent of the block grant is comprised of funds that were previously dedicated to behavioral health services. Pennsylvania’s behavioral health programs were developed over years with input from a wide range of stakeholders, experts and past administrations. Changes in the system were accomplished through transparent public processes of deliberations, educated by the realities of consumers, families and communities. The goals of flexibility and better integration of programs and services are laudable, but without a considered plan of action that utilizes the input of all stakeholders, there is no assurance that the block grant will result in meeting these goals.
Communities across Pennsylvania were repeatedly promised that care would be provided and individuals would not be “dumped” into the streets, into the emergency rooms in community hospitals, or into jails. The promises and plans for providing community mental health services are being scrapped as the Governor proposes severe funding cuts under the guise of reform.Since 1990, with the closure of each state institution or downsizing through the Community/Hospital Integration Projects Program (CHIPP), promises were made to individuals and to communities that the Commonwealth would provide and maintain community mental health these services and supports. CHIPP dollars totaling $268 million are part of the Community Mental Health Appropriation. The Olmstead Plan for Pennsylvania’s State Mental Health System details how the “Department of Public Welfare will work with counties to plan for the development of a broad array of integrated options to meet the needs of consumers.” It also acknowledges the fiscal and social costs of failing to provide the necessary supports and services that far outweigh the costs of paying for these supports and services.
The Corbett budget proposes a direct cut of $123.08 million for behavioral health services.That includes: Community Mental Health appropriation -$110.02 million; Behavioral Health Services Initiative -$9.58 million; Act 152 Drug and Alcohol appropriation -$2.99 million; and Special Pharmaceuticals appropriation - $.49 million. Since counties will be free to transfer funds to needed areas, even a transfer of 5% of the behavioral health funds is another potential loss of $27.5 million. The reduction of the General Assistance program will also impact behavioral health consumers. These cuts were made without regard to the severe consequences such as increased incarceration and homelessness, and the elimination of life sustaining services.
These cuts target the truly needy. They hurt individuals whose care has long been the responsibility of the State -- dating back to the founding of the Commonwealth.While it is recognized that these are difficult times for the state’s budget, these proposed cuts are excessive and are devastating to the mental health system. These vulnerable people should not be sacrificed during this time of more limited resources. They should be among the first to be protected.
These cuts must be restored! The block grant is wrong and must be stopped. Promises made to consumers and to communities must be kept. The proposal for massive cuts must be rejected.
Sincerely,
Mark Murphy, Chief Executive OfficerEugene Bianco, President and CEO
Disability Rights Network of PA Pennsylvania Association of
Rehabilitation Facilities
George J. Kimes, Executive DirectorRebecca May-Cole, Executive Director
Pennsylvania Community Providers PA Behavioral Health and Aging
Association Coalition
Sue Walther, Executive DirectorLynn Keltz, Executive Director
Mental Health Association in PennsylvaniaPA Mental Health Consumers Association
The BH Coalition was formerly known as the MH/MR Coalition and includes all major associations representingbehavioral healthprograms and services in Pennsylvania.
For additional information, contact any of the organizations listed:
Mental Health Association in PA (717.346.0549)PA Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (717.657.7608)
Disability Rights Network (1.800.692.7443) PA Community Providers Association (717.364.3280)
PA Behavioral Health and Aging Coalition (717.541.4219)PA Mental Health Consumers Association (717.564.4930)
Mental Health and Mental Retardation Program Administrators Association of Pennsylvania (717.232.7554)