April 19, 2024

Just received from our wildly dedicated government relations consultants at Reid, McNally & Savage.  Thank you Marcy!! More to follow…

Dear Lauri,
Late today, the final Aid to Localities Appropriations budget bill (S8303D/A8803D) went to print.  Following our review of the bill, below is an outline of the funding lines of interest to the NYS Council.  

We still await two final bills which we expect to be passed later tonight/tomorrow for passage by the Legislature this week to complete the budget.   We will send additional updates of interest as final bills are printed.

As you read the info below remember that some of the OASAS and OMH approps you will see are fumds being re-appropriated to implement various budget provisions passed last year but with an effective date of 2024.  

Aid to Localities Final Appropriations Budget Bill (S8303D/A8803D) Highlights:
NYSDOH

• $196 million for Health Homes rejecting restructuring
• $22.5 million for CCBHCs (SECOND YEAR APPROP OF MONEY FOR THE CCBHC DEMO EXPANSION)
• $7.785 million for Opioid Drug Addiction, Prevention and Treatment program
• $272,000 for Opioid Overdose Prevention program for Schools
• $300 million for the Healthcare Safety Net Transformation program
• $350 million included as an expected transfer from the Health Care Stability Fund established in the HMH Article VII bill from the proceeds of the proposed MCO tax

OMH

• Increase in funding for the Adult Services program by $50 million above the Executive Budget level
• Increased funding for Medicaid payment for various mental health services totaling $383.217 million including $33 million outlined in the bill
• Increased funding of $31 million for COLA totaling $66.33 million
• $74 million is included for Behavioral Health Reinvestment from recoupment from managed care plans (same as Executive budget)
• $8.22 million is included to support minimum wage increases (same as Executive budget)
• $3 million in new funding for programs and services including behavioral services, crisis intervention/response, educational and outpatient services as approved by the Senate and DOB through a Senate resolution
• $350,000 for the Veteran’s Mental Health Training Initiative

OASAS

• Increase in funding for Community Treatment Services Program of $62 million
• $5 million increase in funding for Medicaid payments for OASAS Outpatient Services above Executive budget level
• $3 million increase in funding for Residential Services
• $1 million increase in funding for Crisis Services
• $11 million increase in funding for Problem Gambling, SUD outpatient, Harm Reduction and Treatment Support Services
• $37 million is included for Behavioral Health Reinvestment from recoupment from managed care plans (same as Executive budget)
• $2.9 million for minimum wage increases (same as Executive budget)
• Increased funding for COLA by approx. $8 million providing $16.8 million total
• Two appropriations for independent SUD ombudsman ($1.5 million and $8.5 million same as Executive budget)
• $86.3 million in funding for opioid/SUD treatment/services through opioid settlement fund pursuant to a funding schedule outlined in the bill (an increase of approx. $33 million from Executive Budget)
• $4 million in increased funding from Executive Budget for Prevention and Program Support totaling $226.819 million
• New funding for member initiatives outlined in the bill