Sets the record straight on combined funding levels in Texas
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas The Texas Senate Republican Caucus is setting the record straight on mental health funding levels in Texas. Previous press reports state that Texas spends $900 million on this issue with each biannual budget however the actual number is close to $6.7 billion. Included in this figure is $3.1 billion in Medicaid spending but even with that full amount removed from the calculation state spending on mental health over a two-year period amounts to $3.6 billion. At best this $900 million figure was four times from the truth.
A complete examination of all mental health spending in Texas shows the $6.7 billion commitment that the Texas Legislature has made to mental health issues" said Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson. In these uncertain economic times as we work towards the upcoming session and the next budget it is important that we have a clear picture of how this money is allocated and the impact that it is having on Texans."
The reported $900 million funding figure only takes into account mental health spending included in the Department of Health and Human Services budget. The Texas budget allocates much more funding in a total of 18 agencies across state government. In the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 budget a rider was included by Senator Jane Nelson that lists where all mental funding exists (Article 9 Section 10.4). Included with this press release is the chart showing the complete listing of mental health spending in Texas.
Under Republican leadership Texas passed a very conservative budget during the last session" said Caucus Chairman Paul Bettencourt.We kept growth in the budget to only 1.8 a year less than population growth and inflation and still funded needed mental health programs in Texas. It is important that Texans have access to how their money is being spent."
The Texas Senate Republican Caucus was proud to vote for a conservative budget in the last session that kept the growth of spending below population growth and inflation and was still able to address necessary spending on other important issues such as tax relief education transportation health issues and more.
The Texas budget is roughly $210 billion over a two-year period and can be very complex" continued Chairman Bettencourt. In much the same way that some members of the media misreported the amount of funding for womens health in Texas some are now incorrectly stating the money being spent on mental (behavioral as described in the attached spreadsheet) health as well.
Senate Republican Caucus members have the right answers for media inquiries" continued Senator Bettencourt. All we request is just ask us the question before you go to print! The people of Texas deserve the facts about how money is being allocated in the budget."
