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ADAMHS Board CEO Denihan Joins FitzGerald in Urging State to Restore Funding for Mental Health Services
Media contacts:
Rich Luchette, (216) 797-0931
Scott Osiecki, (216) 241-3400
CLEVELAND - Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald and ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County CEO William M. Denihan held a joint press conference this morning to call on state lawmakers to restore funding for mental health services after the House voted earlier this month to cut more than $47 million to pay for drug treatment services.
"It is unacceptable that the House Republican leadership will only pay for enhanced addiction treatment services by cutting funding they've already allocated for mental health care," said FitzGerald. "Rather than offering a false choice, the state should identify both drug treatment and behavioral health care as urgent public health priorities and fund them accordingly."
On April 9, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 369 and House Bill 483 legislation that pays for heroin addiction treatment by cutting $47.5 million that were already allocated for mental health services. Under this proposal, which has yet to pass the Ohio Senate, Cuyahoga County could lose $7.5 million that helps provide services for more than 18,000 residents.
"The bottom line is that if HB 369 or 483 becomes law, funding will be taken away from critical mental health and support services that are not covered by Medicaid," explained William M. Denihan, CEO of the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County. "Historically the State has underfunded Mental Health and Addiction Services. This is an example of the State trying to take from Peter to pay Paul without an understanding that both need the help."
Services that could be hurt by the reallocation of funding include a 24/7 suicide prevention phone hotline, housing and residential support for individuals with mental illness or addiction, and drug and gambling prevention programs.
Rich Luchette, (216) 797-0931
Scott Osiecki, (216) 241-3400
CLEVELAND - Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald and ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County CEO William M. Denihan held a joint press conference this morning to call on state lawmakers to restore funding for mental health services after the House voted earlier this month to cut more than $47 million to pay for drug treatment services.
"It is unacceptable that the House Republican leadership will only pay for enhanced addiction treatment services by cutting funding they've already allocated for mental health care," said FitzGerald. "Rather than offering a false choice, the state should identify both drug treatment and behavioral health care as urgent public health priorities and fund them accordingly."
On April 9, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 369 and House Bill 483 legislation that pays for heroin addiction treatment by cutting $47.5 million that were already allocated for mental health services. Under this proposal, which has yet to pass the Ohio Senate, Cuyahoga County could lose $7.5 million that helps provide services for more than 18,000 residents.
"The bottom line is that if HB 369 or 483 becomes law, funding will be taken away from critical mental health and support services that are not covered by Medicaid," explained William M. Denihan, CEO of the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County. "Historically the State has underfunded Mental Health and Addiction Services. This is an example of the State trying to take from Peter to pay Paul without an understanding that both need the help."
Services that could be hurt by the reallocation of funding include a 24/7 suicide prevention phone hotline, housing and residential support for individuals with mental illness or addiction, and drug and gambling prevention programs.
