A bill to mostly reauthorize spending on current bricks-and-mortar capital projects has been introduced (HB 462). The bill also includes some new appropriations and other spending adjustments. Behavioral health advocates are making the case that funding to restore some of the previous cuts should be on the list of adjustments made in the bill. The message is that Ohio can save lives and money by investing wisely in behavioral health.
Mental Health Funding Request
As you may recall, statements were made by the House and Senate at the conclusion of the HB 1 process that $65 million had been restored above the Governor’s framework. However, this number included $36 million in Medicaid spending authority which advocates challenge is in effect phantom money to the system because there was no corresponding appropriation. We are asking that the General Assembly move $36 million presently in the ODMH 635 Appropriations line to the 505 Community Treatment line and allocate it to local boards.
Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Request
Drug overdoses now exceed car accidents as the number one cause of accidental death in Ohio and opiate abuse has reached epidemic proportions. The downturn in the economy only adds to the need for more help to treat addiction as people turn to drugs and alcohol in response to the economic stress. Subsequently, liquor profits are at an all time high. Increase the percentage of existing liquor profits that support ODADAS from 1.5% ($4.4 million) to $2.5%. Also add language to clarify that casino gambling profits earmarked for addiction cannot be used to supplant state funding for community alcohol and other drug treatment.
A vote is expected in the House in the next six days. Advocates are encouraged to contact Speaker of the House Armond Budish, Senate President Bill Harris, Rep. Vernon Sykes as House Finance Chair, Senator John Carey as the Senate Finance Chair, as well as their Senators and State Representatives. Legislators will likely respond that they are keeping the focus of the bill narrow, but we cannot afford to miss an opportunity to advocate! Contact information for legislators is available at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/.
Tags: behavior health, bill, health care, odadas, odmh, Ohio
