Press Release - 1.25.2011 - Governor's Budget Address

January 25, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE In today’s budget address, Governor Shumlin proposed a 4.8% cut for Mental Health agencies serving Vermont’s most vulnerable citizens.  Floyd Nease, Executive Director of the Vermont Association for Mental Health, finds this proposal “…irresponsible and borders on being reckless.”  “If you add up Governor Douglas’ cuts over the past several years, they total about what Governor Shumlin wants to cut in this one year.  Once again, those requiring mental health and developmental services are being asked to bear a disproportionate share of the pain.  The budget proposal violates the fundamental principles the Governor laid out for his health care plan, which stated that Vermonters will get the right care at the right time.  Furthermore, it flies in the face of his stated intention to provide an increased level of intervention for those currently in jail who he intends to release to the very communities whose services are being cut.”  The cuts would come at a time when Mental Health programs all over the state report long waiting lists for services, and a higher level of acuity for those Vermonters who are being seen.  “This means that our police, ambulance, emergency rooms, corrections and other community resources will be called upon to provide ever more inappropriate and expensive interventions,” Nease said, “It is extremely disappointing.  I look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure that Vermonters who need services will get them.”