June 11th, 2008

Today the Williamsport Sun-Gazette editorialized that repeatedly mental health and mental retardation (MH-MR) facilities are treated unfairly by recieving inadaquate state budget funding.

The editors ask: “Wouldn’t it make sense for care of those who can’t care for themselves to be among the top priorities of state government? Given that the government is funded by people who are residents of Pennsylvania, you’d think so.”

However, despite 3% inflation in the last three months this years current budget plan once again flat-funds these facilities.  Since 1994 these facilities have fallen behind the rate of inflation by 33.01%.

The Sun-Gazette states: “This happens because every year, as the budget pie is being divided, other interests are given a priority over programs such as those offered locally by Hope Enterprises and the Lycoming County Mental Health-Mental Retardation program.”

The editorial board support a bill that would guarantee that these facilities get a cost-of-living adjustment in funding every year, stating that it’s more than reasonable, and seems like “the right thing to do.”