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)