Consider Thanking Our Appropriations Committee For Restoring Funding To Many Services Cut Earlier This Session By The Governor.
/The Appropriations Committee will be voting on their proposed budget early
next week. ( Original Blog dated 4.11.2013)
NOW is the time to CALL the Chairs and Vice-chairs of Appropriations, as well as democratic leadership, Speaker of the House and President of the Senate.
Co-Chair Senator Toni Harp: 860-240-0393 | 1-800-842-1420
Co-Chair Representative Toni Walker: 860-240-8585 | 1-800-842-8267
Vice-Chair Senator Joan Hartley: 860-240-000 | 1-800-842-1420
Vice-Chair Rep. Mae Flexer: 860-240-8585 | 1-800-842-8267
Vice-Chair Rep. Patricia Billie Miller: 860 240-8585 | 1-800-842-8267
Vice-Chair Rep. Elaine O’Brien: 860 240-8585 | 1-800-842-8267
Speaker of the House Rep. Brendan Sharkey: 860-240-8500 |1- 800-842-1902
President Pro Tempore Senator Don Williams: 860-240-8614 | 1-800-842-1420
The primary areas where Keep the Promise has taken the lead advocating for NEW moneys are the following initiatives that were not included in the major bill that was passed last week (and that was already signed by the governor):
1) Peer Bridger Programs ($1.5 million) (peer support services that are initiated during hospitalization and continue after discharge into the community)
2) Housing First funds for DMHAS ($1 million) (subsidized housing with Assertive Community Treatment-ACT- for person with psychotic disorders for whom other treatment modalities have not worked)
3) Young Adult Services (YAS) for people experiencing their first episodes ($500,000)
Of course, there are other outstanding items that were cut (and some that received proposals for more funding) that you may care about from the list below, which you can choose to highlight in your calls:
OPPOSE cuts to the following services/programs
1. School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) expansion elimination
2. DMHAS grants reduction – affecting outpatient services
3. CLRP legal services cuts
4. HUSKY Parents eligibility restrictions (eliminating Medicaid coverage for parents with income of between 133-185% of FPL and moving them into the Health Insurance Exchange/Access Health CT with premiums, co-pays, deductibles)
5. Implementing Step Therapy under the pharmacy program
6. COLA elimination for the Aged, Blind and Disabled
7. Behavioral Health Partnership Oversight Council (BHP OC) elimination
SUPPORT funding for the following services /programs
1. Housing Initiative including Supportive and Affordable housing
2. Expansion of Young Adult Services (YAS)
3. New funding for Health Home services
It is also important to call ALL Appropriation Committee members as this is a very difficultly budget climate. If your legislator(s) are on the Appropriations Committee, call them and tell them what you care about and what important services and treatment options need to be included in this budget. Click here for contact information for members of the Appropriations Committee.
Your call will make a difference!
(Edited from NAMI & KTP call to action email)