Budget Versions

House Appropriations Members 2008

The Senate and the House have passed their own versions of the state budget. The differences will now be resolved by a conference committee.

The Senate embraced mental health (MH) funding as presented in the Governor's budget and added language whereas the House approved the MH funding, added language as to its use, added 650 additional MR Waiver slots, a congregate care rate increase of 3.6%, and $3.2M for start-up funds for MR wavier slots. The House also struck state funds for Drug Courts. There are 14 drug court programs in Virginia that were established in various localities with primarily federal grants. Here's what we got -

FROM THE HOUSE

DMAS

650 new community MR Waiver Slots for a total of 800 for the biennium. for a total of $30.8 M
3.6% rate increase for MR Waiver congregate care - $5M each yr, $10M total
$1M to exempt antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds from PDL.
Language amendment to realign Medicaid rates for supported employment to be same as DRS rates.

DMHMRSAS

Keeps MH funding at same level as in the Introduced Budget with following additions:

$33.9 M to address MH treatment needs of those in crisis or who meet the criteria for MH treatment set forth in legislation related to civil commitments and mentally ill criminal defendants and jail inmates. Language directs the Commissioner to convene a workgroup to allocate funding across services and agencies to address the fiscal impact of new legislation and the need for emergency services.
$5.8 M to add 40 OP children’s clinicians, one per CSB. Language in the House further states that these clinicians will be used to provide treatment for those youth referred to the CSBs through FAPT teams.
$1.9 M GF and 8 FTEs to enhance MH oversight and training.
$3.2 M start-up funds for MR Waiver slots.
$200K and 1FTE to coordinate community resources for autism services.

Secretary of HHR

Language directing the Secretary with DMHMRSAS and DSS to identify and report on the programmatic changes needed to implement a portable auxiliary grant for certain individuals with mental illness. Report due to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2008.

Department of Veterans’ Services

This provides $2.9 million each year from the general fund to establish a program pursuant to enactment of House Bill 475 that in concert with the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services and the Department of Rehabilitative Services will monitor and coordinate mental health and rehabilitative services for Virginia's veterans, Virginia National Guard members, and Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves. This program will ensure these individuals receive timely assessment and treatment for stress-related injuries and brain disorders resulting from service in combat areas. The bill also directs the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services to actively pursue federal funds for this program and the Veterans Services Foundation is to make this program a top priority for fund-raising activities. The DVS Commissioner is to ensure maximization of federal and private funds to support this program

General Government/Supreme Court-Savings

Eliminate state funding for 14 Drug Courts- ($5.9M)

Pay Raise

2% salary increase for state supported employees as of 12/1/08
Set-aside for possible increase in FY 2010

FROM THE SENATE

DMAS

Add $1M to exempt antidepressants and antipsychotic meds from PDL.
language amendment to realign Medicaid rates for supported employment to be same as DRS rates

DMHMRSAS

$42M almost as allocated in the Introduced Budget, with slight reductions in licensing and accountability staffing.
$100K to coordinate community resources for autism services.
$500K each year for Wounded Warrior Program.
Language for report on community housing.
Language for standardized reporting system for CSBs.
Language for report on availability of psychiatrists in Virginia.
Language for MH funding reporting requirements.
$328K for involuntary commitment of minors.

Secretary of HHR

Language directing the Secretary with DMHMRSAS and DSS to identify and report on the programmatic changes needed to implement a portable auxiliary grant for certain individuals with mental illness. Report due to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2008.

Pay Raise

2.5% salary increase for state and state supported employees in FY 2010

VRA is supporting the House version for the following: 1) Wounded Warrior, 2) DMAS recommendations for adding 650 wavier slots, 3) rate increase for MR Waiver congregate care, 4) language for aligning SE rates with DRS rates, 5) pay raise for state employees in 08, 6) Language directing the Secretary with DMHMRSAS and DSS to identify and report on the programmatic changes needed to implement a portable auxiliary grant for certain individuals with mental illness. We are opposing eliminating state funding for the 14 Drug Courts- ($5.9M) as proposed by the House.

Please take a moment to contact members of the House Appropriations and say thank you for their strong support ( they passed their budget unanimously). Members and email addresses are attached. Also, please send a special thanks to Delegate Kirk Cox who sponsored the amendment for the additional 650 MR Wavier Slots. The Senate did not sponsor any additional slots beyond the 150 slots proposed by the Governor.