NY Gov. Kathy Hochul unveils $1B mental health care in State of the State address
ALBANY, New York (WABC) -- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans Tuesday to add 1,000 beds for inpatient psychiatric treatment and create 3,500 housing units to address gaps in the state's mental health care system.
The more than $1 billion, multiyear plan was announced as part of the Democratic governor's annual State of the State address.
It is the governor's first State of the State address since she was sworn for her first elected term, making history as the first woman elected to the position in the state.
"We have underinvested in mental health care for so long, and allowed the situation to become so dire, that it has become a public safety crisis, as well," Hochul said in a prepared statement. "This proposal marks a monumental shift to make sure no one falls through the cracks and to finally and fully meet the mental health needs of all New Yorkers."
The plan would increase insurance coverage for mental health services, expand outpatient services and create greater accountability in hospital admissions and discharges.
The plan would direct state-licensed hospitals to reopen 850 inpatient psychiatric beds that went offline during the pandemic.
The state also would create 150 new adult beds in state-operated psychiatric hospitals, including 100 in New York City.
Hochul said the state would provide capital investments and operating funds for 3,500 new residential units.
That includes 1,500 supportive housing units serving people with serious mental illness and 900 transitional step-down units.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
ALSO READ | Nurses at 2 NYC hospitals on strike after negotiations fail
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
