of 2023-25 North Carolina Budget Includes significant investment in mental health funds; Includes a total of $835 million Improving behavioral health through NC Ministry of Health and Human Services and Medicaid expansion.
NCDHHS called this investment unprecedented, Includes Medicaid increase Redemption rate For behavioral health services — $99 million crisis response system and Expanding re-entry Diversion programs for people involved in the justice system.
Gov. Roy Cooper and state lawmakers, on a bipartisan basis, advocated for mental health funding in this year’s budget., said Kelly Crosby, director of the North Carolina Department of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services.
crosby Said with her Carrie Brown, Chief Psychiatrist and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, NCDHHS. He met with state legislators to discuss budgeting for mental health programs. The data they presented was consistent with what many members of Congress saw in their own districts. Ms. Crosby said.
“And none [the state legislators] They’ll say they’re mental health professionals in some way, but what we saw was people who were very receptive to the facts that we were presenting,” Crosby said. Said.
Alexandra Sirota Executive Director of North Carolina Budget & Tax Center; Said Once the total national budget is determined, the process of choosing which areas to fund often does not reflect the views of many citizens. Most of the funding, she said, is driven by the influence of lobbyists and the interests of lawmakers. Said Only some of the most powerful state legislatures have the power to set the agenda and advance budget proposals.
“At this time, it is unclear how the public can document and identify needs that require funding from the General Assembly.” she said.
crosby Said NCDHHS has established four different advisory committees to work with the community on different parts of the budget to communicate with North Carolinians about funding.
she Said, With limited funds available in the state budget each year, advocates from a variety of areas come together to push for more money and pull lawmakers in different directions.
