Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) announced that he helped pass the Assembly’s 2018-19 state budget proposal, which includes critical funding to strengthen the state’s health care system and provide substance abuse services to New Yorkers struggling with addiction.

“People can argue whether access to affordable health care is a right or a privilege. What I know is that it’s necessary.” Stirpe said. “About a year ago, I had to have minor surgery after a bump to the head. Everything went well thanks to the amazing doctors at SUNY Upstate Medical University, but the experience reminded me that not everyone’s as lucky. That’s why I’ll always fight to ensure each and every New Yorker can get the treatment and services they need – cost should never be a barrier to protecting your health.”

The Assembly budget proposal restores $135 million in Medicaid funding and $37 million in public health programs cut from the executive proposal. This includes a $2.32 million increase in funding for NY Connects, which helps residents access information on long-term services and home care for people with disabilities. Stirpe’s stepdaughter is living with a disability, and he’s always been a staunch advocate for getting her and other New Yorkers the services they need to live fulfilling lives. The Assembly budget proposal provides $30 million to support the expansion of services offered by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), giving priority to services for those with aging caregivers.

The SUNY hospital system is a critical care provider in Central New York and the Assembly budget proposal restores $78.6 million in operating support for the system. The funding would help SUNY hospitals expand, so they can keep delivering top-notch care, Stirpe noted.

The Assembly budget proposal also includes $1.5 million to establish a behavioral health ombudsman program to provide assistance to both insured and uninsured New Yorkers seeking mental health or substance abuse services.

Stirpe has been at the forefront in the fight against substance abuse as the opioid epidemic continues to have a devastating impact on Central New York. To help combat the crisis, the Assembly budget proposal restores $10 million in capital funding to support residential bed and opioid treatment program development.

The Assembly budget proposal also institutes a 2.5 cents-per-morphine milligram equivalent surcharge, which would generate $158 million in additional revenue to help support the continued expansion of treatment, prevention and recovery programs, including:

• $5 million for opiate abuse treatment services;
• $5 million for opiate abuse prevention activities;
• $5 million for opiate abuse recovery support services;
• $5 million for expanded alternatives-to-incarceration programming;
• $4 million for expanded opiate abuse school programming;
• $4 million for expanded substance abuse disorder services in local jails;
• $2 million for substance abuse disorder worker recruitment and retention incentives; and
• $250,000 for a certified recovery peer advocate scholarship program.

The Assembly plan also restores $15 million in Medicaid funding to continue with the planned expansion of children’s behavioral health services, and restores $1 million to support crisis intervention teams and diversion programs.

“We can never allow budgetary constraints to shortchange our children and most vulnerable residents and prevent them from accessing essential health care programs,” Stirpe said. “The Assembly budget restores and expands these services so all New York children can grow up happy and healthy.”