On April 4 the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 2499 by a vote of 184-14. On March 13 the House Republican Caucus had introduced House Bill 2499 as their working budget document. House Bill 2499 began with the 2005/06 enacted state budget; in other words, the House did not begin with the governor’s proposed 2006/07 budget as the working document, as is customary. PCPA and other stakeholders worked to ensure that amendments would be filed calling for a full 4% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on mental health/mental retardation/drug and alcohol (MH/MR/D&A) programs.
Mental
Health
Rep. Raymond Bunt Jr.’s (R-Montgomery) amendment called for budget language
to reflect a 4% COLA for both MH and MR. This amendment was inserted into
House Bill 2499 by a vote of
180-17.
Rep. Florindo J. Fabrizio (D-Erie) introduced an amendment calling for a $13 million increase to the Community Hospital Integration Plan Project (CHIPP) and elimination of budgetary language restricting the MH COLA to direct care workers. This amendment was inserted by a vote of 172-25.
Mental
Retardation
In addition to Rep. Bunt’s amendment, Rep. Steven W. Cappelli (R-Lycoming)
drafted an amendment calling for $28.2 million to address 2,100 individuals
on the MR waiting list and to eliminate budgetary language restricting the
MR COLA to direct care workers. Rep. Cappelli’s amendment was inserted
by a vote of 176-22.
Drug
and Alcohol
Rep. Katie True (R-Lancaster) introduced an amendment calling for a $4.3 million
increase for D&A programs under the purview of the Department of Health.
This amendment was inserted into the budget by a vote of 176-22.
Next
Steps
PCPA reminds the membership to save the date of June 6 –PCPA’s
annual Harrisburg lobby day. During this time, PCPA members will focus on
discussion of long-term funding legislation which is a key component to the
association’s 2006/07 state budget position.
PCPA’s budget position can be accessed here. To view House Bill 2499, visit PCPA’s Legislative Tracking device in the Legislative Affairs section of the web site or log on to www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/ALL/2005/0/HB2499.HTM.
Information
regarding suggested contacts with members of the Senate of Pennsylvania will
be shared with the membership in a separate Legislative Alert. Special thanks
to Reps. Bunt, Cappelli, Fabrizio, and True for introduction of these vital
MH/MR/D&A budget amendments and to each House member that supported their
insertion into House Bill 2499.
