State Advocacy Psychiatric Hospital Closure Protecting Community Reinvestment Jimmy Walsh, President NAMI Alabama Seattle, WA June 27, 2012

State Advocacy 2 The Challenge Governor’s proposal: –Close two state psychiatric facilities, the first on 9/1/12 Two others slated for closure remain open –Continue building new 268 bed hospital –Community care plan TBD FY2012 & 13 proposed budgets –22% reduction proposed (10.6% per year) –42% overall GF reduction ($63M) since FY2009

State Advocacy The Challenge: FY12-13 Budgets Good news: –1% DMH increase FY2013 – provisional Threat: CONTINGENT on constitutional amendment to balance the budget $145M/year for 3 years from Trust Fund Citizens vote 9/18/12 – trend toward opposition Bad news: –If defeated: 18% across the board cuts –DMH loses $19M, Medicaid loses $75M

State Advocacy Advocacy Strategy Coalition –United message: Hospital closure on a responsible time frame must be coordinated with strengthened community services. –Regional Forums: Decision makers heard stakeholders NAMI Board: –Communicate to Governor and legislators Letters, board resolution, visits Membership: –Legislative Advocacy Day –Affiliates urge attendance at forums

State Advocacy Other Forces Public outcry –Petitions –Legislature opposes closure in their district Media coverage Bazelon Center letter to Governor - Reminder of Stickney v. Wyatt class action suit Final budget hearing: –Senator defended, “cut corrections instead”

State Advocacy Decision Makers: Governor –Decisions on hospital closure or continuity –Constitutional amendment to balance budget DMH Commissioner –Community service plan – still in process Legislature –Defend hospitals in their district - Jobs

State Advocacy What is working? Engaged coalition Allied interest with legislators Take the issue to local districts Effective media coverage

State Advocacy Interest Group Invitation Ensuring acute and long term care reinvestment in wake of state hospital closure Discussion questions: –What pressure points, opportunities and pitfalls, should NAMI leaders be aware of? –What effective strategies can be used to strengthen inpatient and outpatient capacity? –What best practices exist? Where are they?

State Advocacy 9 Contact: NAMI Alabama Jimmy Walsh, President Wanda Laird, Executive Director