|
Op-Ed Letter: State's budget
cuts would hurt mentally ill
Posted on Wed, Jun. 10, 2009
Article courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer
Budget cuts proposed by Gov. Rendell and the Pennsylvania legislature
seriously threaten the lives of people with mental illness and their
families. While we understand today's very difficult economic environment,
it makes no sense to pull the rug out from under the feet of our
most vulnerable citizens.
Ironically, these cuts will increase costs for care. Cutting behavioral-
health services does not mean people who need mental health services
will go away. In fact, when they are denied these services, they
use more costly services, such as emergency rooms, homeless shelters,
and corrections facilities.
This legislation will shut the door on those who are using services
and increasing populations who are unemployed, people who are on
waiting lists, and veterans. If the proposed cuts are passed, the
burden of care and costs will fall on counties, and place an additional
financial and emotional burden on families.
Leadership and compassion from Rendell and the legislature are
imperative to protect these Pennsylvanians.
Jim Jordan
National Alliance on Mental Illness PA
Camp Hill, Pa.
|
