How does mental health fit into the state budget? On The Bill: exotic animals
How does mental health fit into the state budget? On The Bill: exotic animals
Plus: half of N.Y.'s counties had worse sales tax numbers this quarter compared to last year.
Good afternoon — it’s Wednesday, and Stop Food Waste Day.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
TODAY’S CAPCON:
What’s in the state budget related to mental health? Here’s a list.
Will NYC ask Albany for more migrant aid next year?
Sales tax numbers looking rough for half of counties outside NYC.
On The Bill looks at rules on exotic animals in N.Y. Think Tiger King.
🔨 Is Tomorrow a Session Day? No.
☁️ Tonight’s Weather: Albany: Some clouds, high 20s New York City: Some clouds, around 40 (National Weather Service)
🧠 What’s in the state budget for mental health?
💵 Gov. Kathy HOCHUL touted spending in the state budget targeted toward mental health Wednesday, but what’s actually in there?
If you have to navigate the mental health system in New York, you’ll likely find two roadblocks to accessing that care.
For one, there aren’t enough providers in New York to keep up with the demand, meaning immediate care is left to emergency rooms and inpatient facilities.
And for two, the cost of that care can often be prohibitive — some providers don’t take insurance, and those who do may charge more than insurance is willing to cover.
When I saw Hochul was holding an event Wednesday to highlight mental health investments in the state budget, I was curious about what was in there.
She focused on a $33 million pot of money targeted toward mental health outcomes in the criminal justice system.
Nearly half of that — $14.6 million — is earmarked to expand Forensic Assertive Community Treatment teams, which help coordinate and track mental health care for people in the system.
Another $8.2 million will be used to place mental health navigators in state courts, including mental health courts, to connect defendants with services.
The remainder will be used for transitional housing for people referred by a judge, housing for homeless people involved in the system and crisis intervention training.
That’s a chunk of change, but only relates to outcomes within the criminal justice system. More spending was earmarked for mental health outside that system.
I tracked down what stood out to me, so you can skip that.
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