Near the close of the 2003/04 legislative session Representative George T. Kenney, Jr. (chairman, House Health and Human Services Committee) introduced legislation that would provide for an inflationary adjustment (formerly cost-of-living adjustment [COLA]) for mental health/mental retardation/drug and alcohol (MH/MR/D&A) programs tied to a national index. The index, published annually, would ensure modest increases for programs within its scope. The Home Health Market Basket Index (HHMBI) has been identified by House Health and Human Services Committee staff as the most appropriate index for MH/MR/D&A programs. For example, the HHMBI for the current fiscal year is 3.1%, according to the October 2004 Federal Register.
At this time, inflationary index legislation has been re-introduced for MH/MR only. While it is still under consideration for D&A, efforts are currently focused on the dedicated alcohol tax initiative which would include an annual increase for five of the D&A budget line-items.
Support
for Long-term MH/MR Funding Widespread
Both the House Health and Human Services Committee and PCPA are seeking as
many representatives as possible to co-sponsor and support the inflationary
adjustment index legislation. It is important to note that this legislation
is only being introduced in the House at this time.
A copy of the draft legislation and a co-sponsorship memo began circulating the Capitol in mid-June. To date, 107 House members have signed on to the legislation. Support for MH/MR programs and funding is bipartisan so the goal is to have as many legislators as possible sign on to the legislation in this early stage.
Synopsis
of the Inflationary Adjustment Index Legislation
As outlined in the co-sponsorship memo, the Community Mental Health and Mental
Retardation Services Supports Act (proposed) would be an effort toward stability
of the community-based MH/MR system as well as to ensure the health and safety
of consumers served by the system. The
legislation also stipulates that funding allocated through the Department
of Public Welfare to counties only be utilized to increase the rates or amount
of funding for existing community-based MH/MR services.
The HHMBI is a mechanism for addressing an annual funding review for MH/MR programs thus allowing for a "cost-of-doing-business." The MH/MR system has historically requested annual COLAs. By instituting an index, proper inflationary adjustments would be permanently established and an annual request for a COLA would be alleviated.
How
PCPA Members Can Assist in This Effort
PCPA members are asked to contact their respective legislators as soon as
possible, encouraging them to sign the co-sponsorship memo for the MH/MR index
legislation. Information regarding identifying your individual legislator
or locating contact information for him/her can be found in PCPA’s Legislative
Directory or from www.legis.state.pa.us
or www.capwiz.com/lwv/officials/state/?lvl=C&state=pa
link. Attached is a listing of House members who have not yet
co-sponsored the legislation. Please thank your legislator if s/he has signed
on to the memo.
Current
Non-sponsors
of Inflationary Index Legislation
