Late yesterday evening, the Ohio House Finance Committee met to adopt another round of amendments to the state biennial budget bill (HB 153). Thanks to the calls, e-mails and letters sent by thousands of Ohio’s behavioral health advocates, inroads were made to add some funding to support community mental health and addiction services. An additional $2.5 million per year was added to the community mental health line item and the same amount was added to the community addiction treatment line item. Legislators credited the advocacy calls and e-mails for helping to secure the additional funds. The House is expected to have a floor vote on the budget bill this Thursday. The advocacy focus now shifts to the Senate, which has already begun hearings on the budget. One important change that the Senator Widener is making as the Finance Chair is to ask that witnesses submit written testimony one day early so that it can be posted and shared with the public on the committee’s website. The Governor’s Office of Health Transformation panel presentation is scheduled for May 10th at 9:45am. Individual agencies are slated to testify later that day, with ODADAS testifying at 2:30pm, ODMH at around 4:00pm, and ODJFS at around 5:00pm. More information will be forthcoming on the public testimony schedule. The conventional wisdom around the Statehouse is that behavioral health could see more funds added in the Senate and/or conference committee, so advocacy season is far from over. Senator Widener said the committee will hold hearings throughout the month of May and then vote the bill out of committee the week after Memorial Day. This will allow for Conference Committee meetings during the month of June and a budget bill in place by July1st.
Report: By the NumbersJanuary 27th, 2011The Mental Health Advocacy Coalition and the Center for Community Solutions has released a report to consolidate and highlight existing statewide data on behavioral health to better inform policy decisions. The report is entitled By the Numbers: Developing a Common Understanding for the Future of Behavioral Health Care. To read the report, visit http:// www.communitysolutions.com/assets/1/Page/MHAC_StudyDoc_012011.pdf We Need Advocacy Now!November 16th, 2009We have learned that Senate Republicans will be putting together their response to HB 318 over the next few days. As you know, Senate President Harris has stated he is not in favor of rolling back the Income Tax cut, so Senate Republicans are looking at where they can cut to get the money to fill the budget hole left with the loss of funding from racetrack casinos. It is also our understanding that Senate Republicans have taken several things off the table for cuts i.e. Education, Medicaid, DRC, Higher Ed, ETC. We have also been told that they have not taken cuts to ODMH or ODADAS off the table. We need to gear up our advocacy ASAP and contact the Senate Republicans and in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS MAKE IT CLEAR THAT NEITHER ODADAS NOR ODMH CAN INCURE ANY ADDITIONAL CUTS. Ohioans deserve access to life saving behavioral health services!
To make things a little easier I have listed all of the Republican Senators and their email address and phone numbers. Have a great week! REPUBLICAN SENATORS
Cheri
Cheri L. Walter BILL ADVOCACYOctober 19th, 2009ADVOCACY ACTION REQUIRED!!!
This past week the Representative Sykes(D) introduced a bill to postpone for the last of five scheduled income tax rate reductions, and to reduce members of the General Assembly salaries by 5%. This was done so that cuts will not need to be made to education. I cannot express how important it is for advocates of behavioral health services to keep the pressure on as policymakers move forward with this bill. One way to keep the pressure on policy makers to restore funding for behavioral health is through sending a letter or email to YOUR Senator, Representative and the Governor. We need to let them know that the behavioral heath system NEEDS ADDITIONAL FUNDS, and until the legislature and administration appropriately fund behavioral health, people are going to die needlessly! We are suggesting that you ask for the following: ODMH Request that the $36 million ($20 in 2010 and $16 in 2011) presently in the 635 line be placed in the 505 line, and that the entire amount be allocated to the Boards via the general 505 distribution method with no earmarks. Additionally, ask that the $7.35 million per year be replaced in the 408 line to be distributed to Boards. ODADAS Ohio’s liquor profits are steadily increasing, yet only 1% ($4.4 million) is allocated to ODADAS. Request that the 1% be raised to 2$ for an additional $4.4 million per year to go to ODADAS. LET’S LET OUR VOICES BE HEARD! WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE; WE CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THE PRESENT LEVEL OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FUNDING! OHIOANS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS DESERVE BETTER!! If you would like more information on how you can contact your legislator, or the Governor Please go to www.OACBHA.org and visit our legislative section.
Have a great week!
Cheri L. Walter |
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