ANNAPOLIS (CNS) — More than 300 health providers, policy makers, and citizens concerned or affected by mental illness rallied here Wednesday to protest any further cuts in the mental health budget — and to support a bill that would tax alcohol to benefit mental health causes.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene lost $56 million over the past 13 months, causing more than 100 job losses and affecting services for many people with mental illness, said Herb Cromwell, executive director of the Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland.
{Spy Ed: About 90 of those lost jobs were at the Upper Shore Mental Health Center in Chestertown}
“How many people with heart problems don’t get treatment? Not many. How many people with cancer don’t get treatment? Not many,” said Rich Bayer, CEO of Upper Bay Counseling and Support Services in Elkton. “But in mental health … 80 percent of children don’t get treatment. Most adults don’t get treatment.”
The governor’s proposed 2011 budget, released Wednesday morning, includes an increase of 9.4 percent in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s funding to approximately $8.9 billion. Mental health services are also funded on a smaller scale from other sources.
One in five Americans, more than one million Marylanders, live with a diagnosable disorder, according to the 1outta5 campaign run by the organizer of the rally, the Maryland Mental Health Coalition.
Advocates wore pins with a 10 cents mantra indicating their enthusiasm for the bill that would tax each alcoholic drink an additional 10 cents.
The proceeds of the tax would go towards expanding health care, as well as increasing funding for substance abuse treatment and prevention and developmental disabilities support. Proceeds might also go into the state’s general fund.
[By Rachel Leven of Capital News Service]
Shelley says
Only a dime per drink? Count me in! I’m a psych masters student at the college and this is a great way to raise money.
Carla Massoni says
Why not? The situation is dire – and driving more than one of us to drink.