Elected Officials Announce Medicaid Mental Illness Boost In Midtown

MIDTOWN, NY — A new bill aiming to better assist those on Medicaid with serious mental illnesses was revealed in Midtown on Tuesday by some of New York's top political leaders.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Dan Goldman and Rep. Jerry Nadler announced a new proposed bill, The Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Act, at the Midtown headquarters of Fountain House, a national nonprofit that works with people who have serious mental illnesses.

The federal bill would improve access to mental health treatment for the 14 million adults who currently have a serious mental illness like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder — a third of who currently lack any treatment, according to Fountain House.

“People living with serious mental illnesses need treatment and resources in order to lead healthy, full lives,” said Gillibrand. “New Yorkers have seen firsthand the devastating impact of untreated mental illness in our communities and we must do more to support everyone in our state. Community-based services for adults with SMI, like the services offered at Fountain House, have a proven track record of helping individuals thrive in their own homes and communities."

If passed, the bill would create a new set of services under Medicaid specifically for people wit serious mental illness that includes supported employment, peer support and assertive community treatment, as well as establishing national standards for such care and incentives for states to provide community-based services.

“Every American deserves access to affordable, high-quality mental health care, and it is unconscionable that so many of those with serious mental illness are unable to get the help they need,” Goldman said. “It is imperative that we strengthen Medicaid to ensure that we are protecting the most vulnerable among us through community based mental health services."

Ken Zimmerman, the CEO of Fountain House, called the bill "a significant step toward a more person-centered, holistic, and proven approach to mental healthcare."

“To help make recovery and thriving core to how our nation supports and recognizes the 14 million people living with serious mental illness (SMI), we must prioritize dignity, agency, and community as fundamental building blocks," Zimmerman said.

Local elected, including State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assembly Member Tony Simone and New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher also attended the announcement and applauded the federal effort.

"We have an obligation to do all we can for those suffering with serious mental illness and this act takes a significant step forward in addressing this issue," said Bottcher.