Advocates Call on New York State to Accept MRT II Recommendations Protecting Children’s Behavioral Health Amid Statewide Crisis

Released March 20, 2020

MRTII Recommends New York State Protects Children’s Health Homes from Cuts, Reinstate CFTSS Enhanced Reimbursement Rates & Increase Access to Children’s Behavioral Healthcare
Suicide is the Second Leading Cause of Death for NY Children Age 15-19, Third Leading Cause of Death for Children Age 5-14

ALBANY,NY—After the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRTII) recommended New York State protect children’s health homes from across the board Medicaid cuts, reinstate reimbursement rates for Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS), and make meaningful progress toward fulfilling the promise of the MRT I plan to increase access to children’s behavioral health care, the Campaign for Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids issued the following statement in response:

“New York state is in the midst of a children’s mental health crisis, which will only be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For years, more than half of New York children with a behavioral health condition have been unable to get the care they need. Strong advocacy by families, providers, and members of the Legislature have helped elevate these issues and ensure the MRT II’s recommendations include several provisions that are vital to helping children in need get the care they require. MRT II’s recommendations protect children’s health homes from across the board Medicaid cuts, reinstate reimbursement rates for Children and Family Treatment and Support Services, and make meaningful progress toward fulfilling the promise of the MRT I plan to increase access to children’s behavioral health care. These proposals must be included in any budget agreement reached by the Executive and Legislature for SFY’20-21, as we still have a long way to go to address rising youth suicide rates, profound workforce shortages, and lack of access to behavioral health providers statewide. We look forward to working with Governor Cuomo and New York lawmakers to address these concerns to ensure children and families can access the care they need and are legally entitled to.”

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The Campaign for Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids is a statewide coalition of behavioral health providers, advocates, and New York families, joining together to create the public and political will necessary to ensure all children and adolescents in New York receive the high-quality behavioral health services they need. You can view their platform with additional background information here.