Advocacy Alert! – We need your help!
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NAMI Ohio Call to Action – Ohio House Budget a Disaster for Mental HealthGovernor DeWine’s Budget made great strides in the funding of much needed mental health services. It is our understanding that the amended House version of the Budget Bill for FY 24-25 (HB 33) will go to the House floor early next week for vote. Much of the progress made in the Governor’s budget was eliminated in the House Budget. The increase to Residential State Supplement (RSS), funding for prevention and criminal justice services, the increase to local ADAMH Boards, and the increase for behavioral health Medicaid rates were significantly reduced. In addition, the House has reduced the request of the Governor for the expansion of beds within our state hospital system. It is vital that your State Representative hears from you today or tomorrow! We need the voice of individuals with mental illness, their family members and those that want a quality of life for all Ohioans to speak up. Call or Email your member of the Ohio House of Representatives today!
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When you email or call your representative, the following are the key issues that need to be amended in the proposed HB 33 |
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Key Issues with the ask in the amended House Budget Bill: NAMI Ohio’s advocacy is to restore the mental health budget as introduced by Governor DeWine. Although all these key issues are important, NAMI Ohio’s number one priority is restoring the residential state supplement.
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The State Budget for FY 2022/2023 moved us forward, and the as-introduced Governor’s DeWine’s budget 2024/2025 took a leap forward to just catch up to the surge in demand for services and supports. THE AMENDED HOUSE BUDGET REVERSES THESE SMALL GAINS MADE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND ENSURES THAT A PERSON-CENTERED COMMUNITY SYSTEM CANNOT AND WILL NOT BE BUILT. Never in the history of this country has there been more awareness of the need to fix a broken mental health system. We cannot allow this opportunity to be lost. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Thank you for your consideration of this request and thank you for the work you do on behalf of all Ohioans. If you have any questions about this letter or about community mental health services, please feel free to contact me. As the House finalizes the budget bill and it moves to the Senate, we will be asking you again to make your voice heard with your Senators. Please contact me with any comments or questions. The individuals NAMI Ohio loves, cares for, and represents need our advocacy. |
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Sincerely, |
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Luke Russell, Executive Director luke@namiohio.org |
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