Aug. 15, 2008

Wheatley begins hearings on mental health care and substance abuse treatment

I am using my authority as chairman of the House Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Health to focus attention on how Pennsylvania is helping people with mental health issues and people attempting to recover from drug or alcohol abuse.

We are reviewing state and federal funding levels and whether a more comprehensive plan is needed to make better use of those funds. We are also examining the potential need for permanent living arrangements for people with mental health or drug or alcohol issues.

This week, I held a hearing in Harrisburg with testimony from 12 key stakeholders, including state Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle Richman, state Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario, advocates for people with mental illness and representatives of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society and the Pennsylvania Counseling Association.

I plan to bring the subcommittee to southwestern Pennsylvania and other regions of the Commonwealth to hear more about current and future needs for these services.

Please contact my office if you have questions about this or any concerns that involve state government.

Testimony from Aug. 11, 2008 hearing:

• Testimony from the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare Secretary Estelle B. Richman
• Testimony from Insurance Commissioner Joel S. Ario
• Testimony from Carol Horowitz, Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
• Testimony from Sue Walther, Executive Director, Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania
• Testimony from Debbie F. Plotnick, Director of Advocacy Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania
• Testimony from Michael D. Chambers, Executive Director, Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program Administrators Association Pennsylvania
• Testimony from Dr. Paul L. West, Pennsylvania Counseling Association
• Testimony from Deborah Ann Shoemaker, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society