An agreement for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s 2007/08 state budget was reached late last night.
It appears from Governor Edward G. Rendell’s remarks last night when announcing that an agreement had been reached regarding the state budget, that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for "human services workers" (his reference, but this term has included the behavioral health and mental retardation system) remained in the final budget. While more information will be forthcoming in the next one to two weeks, it would appear that mental health/mental retardation (MH/MR) programs and services are funded at the three percent level recommended in the governor’s budget proposal. The net gain for drug and alcohol (D&A) services under the Department of Health’s Bureau of D&A Programs would likely be approximately 2.4 percent.
Agreement was also reached on reducing the mental retardation waiting list. Additionally, $10 million has been secured in this budget for autism research, more than tripling the amount in the 2006/07 budget.
One report indicates that CHIPPs funding was fully restored to the proposed 200 slots. At this time PCPA is still unable to independently confirm this number.
The governor has apparently agreed to allow the legislature to address the details of smoking ban legislation (a component of his Prescription for Pennsylvania health care proposal) while a special legislative session regarding energy alternatives will convene this fall. An agreement was also reached on transportation and mass transit funding.
Actual budget language is not yet available for concrete confirmation of numbers. Final passage is expected by week’s end. A more detailed Legislative Alert will be provided in the future regarding actual program funding levels, any service changes, etc. In the meantime please contact Melissa DiSanto Simmons, director of legislative affairs, or any policy specialist at the association with questions or concerns.
