News

Action Needed – Budget Proposals Call for Behavioral Health Cuts!

June 5, 2009

Big cuts to Pennsylvania’s behavioral health budget would mean reductions in services for thousands of people who need them.

Most children’s mental health services would not be impacted, because those services are paid directly by Medical Assistance. However, there will be cuts in services that are funded by state "base" dollars which are allocated to counties. This includes funding for advocacy, respite, Early Childhood mental health services, case management, and system coordination for children (CASSP), as well as some funding for innovative or out of home placements.

The more serious impact will be for adults. This also means a serious impact for children, whose parents & caregivers may lose vital services for mental health and substance abuse services. These proposed budget cuts come at a time when community programs are documenting a growing number of people seeking treatment because they are unemployed and without insurance; are veterans coming back from the war; or are people experiencing significant and increased anxiety over economic instability.

And children will be adults- some very soon. Once this funding is gone, it could be very hard to replace once the economy improves. Families and their teenage children who need behavioral health services already complain that transitioning from the children’s to adult services is difficult. This will only make adult services harder to find.

Please click on this link to see how you can help. The MHAPA page provides several ways to let our elected officials know that these cuts will cost more than will be saved.