In our state, 1.8 million adults struggle with a mental health condition – the overwhelming majority of those people (1.7 million) do not live in a community with enough mental health professionals.

One in four Pennsylvanians experiencing homelessness have a serious mental illness, and one in four adults with a serious mental illness have been arrested.

Every year, we lose 2,000 Pennsylvania lives to suicide.

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania House Democrats finalized the 2023-24 state budget, with the intent of the bill being signed in the Senate, then going to the desk of Gov. Josh Shapiro. This budget deal includes a $45 billion spending plan and historic investments for public schools, community safety initiatives and economic development.

Despite our support for these critical funding initiatives for our commonwealth, the budget unfortunately fell short in the area of mental and behavioral health.

In the 2022-23 state budget, the legislature established a bipartisan Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health to provide recommendations for allocating $100 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding for adult mental health programs in Pennsylvania. Per Act 54 of 2022, no funds can be spent until enabling legislation is enacted by the General Assembly.

To create this enabling legislation, we worked tirelessly with our friends across the aisle, mental and behavioral health experts, and advocates for over a year to reach an agreement on H.B. 849. In May, the bill was unanimously approved by the House Human Services Committee, and it passed the tightly divided Pennsylvania House of Representatives with widespread support (173-30) on June 7.

As we awaited action in the Senate to approve this bipartisan piece of legislation, we unfortunately discovered that the $100 million ARPA funding for adult mental health initiatives in our state would not be included in the budget.

By not directing the funds already earmarked for Act 54 of 2022’s recommended investments in adult mental health, the 2023-24 state budget has failed the 1.8 million Pennsylvanians struggling with mental and behavioral health disorders, as well as the families of those struggling with the loss of their loved ones to suicide. This budget failed the dwindling mental health workforce who are underpaid and overworked. This budget failed our criminal justice system, our local law enforcement, and people who should be in treatment rather than behind bars.

We look forward to working with the Senate, the House and the governor to find a solution to this devastating oversight. We ask the Senate to take up and pass H.B. 849. Until then, we urge our stakeholders to continue their advocacy efforts for this crucial funding to save the lives of Pennsylvanians.

(State Rep. Mike Schlossberg of Lehigh County is the prime sponsor of H.B. 849 and serves as House Democratic Caucus chairman, while Rep. Stephen Kinsey of Philadelphia is majority chairman of the House Human Services Committee.)

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Tom Andrews
PA House of Representatives
Legislative Communications Office
Team Manager, Northeast