They argue that proposed budget cuts for programs for the mentally ill will cost the state more in the long term.
About a dozen clients and staff of H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Through Empowerment) came to Annapolis Wednesday to urge lawmakers to reject some of the spending cuts in Governor Martin O’Malley’s budget.
The group from the Baltimore based organization is upset that the governor proposing cutting $3.4-million in psychiatric rehabilitation programming, and $3-million for residential treatment centers.
“We’re working on a low budget now,” executive director Thomas Hicks told WBAL News.
He argues the community based counseling programs are cheaper than emergency room or long term residential care and can be very effective.
“There are so many people out there that go into the emergency rooms and run up the taxpayer dollars, our centers provide a place for them to come to for practically nothing,” Hicks added.
Taisha Williams is a client of H.O.P.E.
“I’m not liking it,” Williams says of the proposed cuts.
‘We’re here to ask the delegates to be cautious of the trauma it would cause, if they cut the mental health budget, and what kinds of things would happen to our centers if they did.
Williams says the services there have helped her treat her anxiety disorder.
The group met with individual members of the House Health and Government Operations Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.
