Information for NYS Council Members re: Legislative Priorities

December 30, 2022

As 2022 comes to an end and the members of the NYS Legislature prepare to return to Albany for the 2023 Legislative Session (begins 1/4/23), we wanted to re-share a group of documents we have been using in meetings with state leaders over the past 4 months (attached) to push for our priorities to be included in the Governor’s executive budget proposal.  The Governor intends to deliver her State of the State address on 1/10/2023, and we anticipate release of the executive budget proposal about a week later.  

6 docs attached as follows:

  1. Final 2023-2024 Budget Priorities
  2. Position Paper:  HARP- only procurement
  3. Article 31-32 Rate Reform Proposal (referred to in our budget priorities document)
  4. BH MMC Recommendations (for State Medicaid Director and O agency leads)
  5. CCBHC-D Expansion Financial Analysis performed by HMA actuaries, based on our request for vast expansion of CCBHC Demonstration Program (proposed budget language for massive expansion of the Demo Program was drafted by the NYS Council and shared with the executive in mid-November)
  6. Accompanying Final Talking Points document – used with CCBHC Financial Analysis doc

I also want to share with all NYS Council members that last week I spoke directly (and quite frankly) to OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham, OMH Commissioner Ann Sullivan, OPWDD Commissioner Keri Neifeld, executive chamber representative Jihoon Kim, and Emil Slane at OMH and Trisha Schell-Guy at DoH about our deep frustration with providers not yet having already received ALL of the various rate increases, enhanced funding, etc. that has been directed to mental health and substance use disorder providers from a variety of sources over the past year.  This includes Health Care Workforce Bonus funds, COLA, rate increases for a broad group of programs and services, etc.  I challenged state leaders to finally deliver on the many promises government has made to our staff and the individuals we serve over the past year.  

This week several NYS Council member agency representatives let me know they can see the HCWB funds are coming when they check the Medicaid remittance system.  Please let me know if you do not receive the funds due to your agency for both vesting periods, within the next two payment cycles.  

Happy New Year, everyone.

Lauri