Schlossberg praises inclusion of $100 million for mental health services
Rep. Mike Schlossberg October 4, 2023 | 10:36 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 4 – State Rep. Mike Schlossberg issued the following statement following tonight’s state House passage of a Fiscal Code bill, which includes $100 million for mental health services.
That amount is identical to legislation authored earlier this year by Schlossberg and which also passed the House, but was removed by the state Senate.
“I am pleased the House reinstated our proposed $100 million for adult behavioral and mental health care services. This money was set aside in the 2022-23 budget. The plan for putting this money to use was established by the Commission on Adult Behavioral Health, which included members from the Senate and House of Representatives, along with leaders in the administration and stakeholders from across Pennsylvania. The plan has been thoroughly vetted. Our only remaining task is to put the money to use serving Pennsylvanians by strengthening our behavioral and mental health care system,” said Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, who serves as House Majority Caucus Chair.
“The United States is in a mental health crisis. Suicide rates have climbed to record highs the past two years and have increased dramatically since the 1980s. Pennsylvania lost almost 1,900 people to suicide in 2022. Anxiety and depression are becoming more and more prevalent for people. In addition, substance use and addiction is claiming more and more lives each year. We cannot go on like this.
“As a result of successful anti-stigma campaigns, more people are talking about their mental health care needs and seeking treatment. Unfortunately, they are finding themselves waiting for months for an appointment because Pennsylvania does not adequately invest in the care people need for treatment. House Democrats are prepared to make the down payment on those services and I hope the Senate joins us in the same bipartisan fashion we all started in 2022. Lives are at stake, and it is the right thing to do,” Schlossberg said.
The legislation (H.B. 1300) moves to the state Senate for concurrence with the House amendments.