What happened to D&A in this budget?
Behavioral Health Special Initiative* funds (BHSI) eliminated ($27 million for D&A)
- Act 152* funds eliminated ($18.2 million)
- Intergovernmental Transfer* (IGT) eliminated ($17.1 million)
- Human Services Development Fund* (HSDF) cut dramatically (from $36.8 million to $3.5 million)
- Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency funding for jail diversion/D&A treatment cut dramatically ($13 million to $7.8 million)
*Funds to support D&A treatment for low-income citizens
What is the result?
Pennsylvania mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons, will be unable to get desperately needed services. Without needed D&A treatment, Pennsylvania's fiscal crisis will get much worse.
- Health care costs, especially emergency room and Medical Assistance physical health care costs will skyrocket as research has proven.
- Overcrowded prisons conditions will worsen as studies have clearly documented.
- The number of homeless will increase significantly.
- Young people will become more deeply involved in drugs and alcohol, leading to school drop out, crime, social alienation and even death.
- Businesses and Pennsylvania's economy will suffer due to lack of productivity.
To compound this problem General Assistance clients (many of whom receive D&A services) will be transferred from HealthChoices to the Medical Assistance fee-for -service program in this budget proposal. Because limited drug and alcohol treatment is available in fee for service (outpatient and limited hospital care) this means an even greater cut affecting more people. Needed services must be provided regardless of the funding model. The cumulative affects of these cuts far exceed reductions experienced in any other programs and will devastate D&A services.
What must be done?
ALL of these funds MUST be restored now.
What can YOU do?
BE IN HARRISBURG TUESDAY MARCH 11 AT 11:00 A.M.
OUTSIDE ON THE CAPITOL STEPS (facing third street)
AS WE MAKE OUR VOICES HEARDArm yourself with as much data as possible regarding the effect these cuts will have on your community. Then call, write and meet with your state officials, legislators (House and Senate, Republican and Democrat) Governor's office, and county officials NOW! Ask at least 10 colleagues, friends, and family members to do the same and do it NOW!