IMMEDIATE ACTION ALERT: ASK FOR FUNDING FOR GERIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH

ACTION ALERT!!!
ASK FOR FUNDING FOR GERIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH

Dear Alliance Member,

Overall Governor Spitzer’s 2007-8 budget for mental health is very good. However, the Governor neglected to include additional funding for geriatric mental health services despite acknowledging the growth of the older adult population and the need for more services.

In response, we are taking a two-pronged strategy.

We know that Governor Spitzer is supportive of community based health and mental health services for all New Yorkers, including older adults. And funding for geriatric mental health services is critical to keeping older adults with mental disorders in the community. So, we are urging that the Governor include $3 million for geriatric mental health services in his Executive Budget Amendments.

In case geriatric mental health is not included in Spitzer's amendments, we are also asking the Legislature to include $3 million for geriatric mental health services.

In order to maintain the momentum created by the passage of the Geriatric Mental Health Act and funding for the Act's demonstration programs, we ask that you please:

1. Write a letter to Governor Spitzer urging him to include an additional $3 million for geriatric mental health services.

*Click here to download a sample letter to Spitzer.

2. Write letters to Senators Morahan and Golden and Assemblypersons Rivera and Engelbright - the main supporters of the Geriatric Mental Health Act - urging them to include an additional $3 million for geriatric mental health services.

*Click here to download a sample letter to key legislators. The addresses of key legislators are below.

3. Write a letter to your local legislator about the importance of geriatric mental health and the need for additional money.

*Click here to download a sample letter to your local legislators. To find the address of your local legislator you can search by zipcode. For your Assemblyperson, click here. For your Senator, click here

PLEASE NOTIFY US WHEN YOU SENT A LETTER.

It was your advocacy that led to the passage of the Geriatric Mental Health Act, and it will take your active advocacy to get additional funding for 2007-8.

Thank you,

Michael and Kim

Addresses of Key Legislators

Senator Martin J. Golden
946 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247

Senator Thomas P. Morahan
848 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247

Assemblyman Peter Rivera
826 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248

Assemblyman Steven Englebright
824 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248