ALBANY, NY – New York lawmakers advanced important measures to strengthen mental health and substance use care during this legislative session, including new investments in suicide prevention and youth mental health, and legislation that would protect access to prescribed care and expand access to psychological services to remote and underserved New Yorkers.
“New York made meaningful progress this session,” said Abbie Hodgson, Vice President of State Affairs at Inseparable. “And that progress belongs to the advocates, families and New Yorkers who wrote letters, campaigned, and shared their stories. Their work made clear that New York cannot wait for fair access to care. We are grateful to the lawmakers and advocates who helped make this progress possible, and we look forward to building on this momentum next session to ensure more New Yorkers can get the care they need, when they need it.”
- Governor Hochul signed S9007-C / A10007-C, which invests millions in suicide prevention, youth mental health, and problem gambling services, including restored LGBTQ+-specific 988 crisis services, expanded youth prevention programs and Teen Mental Health First Aid training, and a three-year suicide prevention plan.
- A 6744, which adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) to expand access to psychological services for remote and underserved New Yorkers, passed the legislature and is headed to the governor for her signature.
Lawmakers and advocates also marked the 20th anniversary of Timothy’s Law, New York’s landmark mental health parity law, at a successful press conference at the State Capitol with U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko, Timothy’s father Tom O’Clair, advocates and state legislators. Attendees urged New York to protect mental health parity against federal rollbacks.
Hodgson continued:
“Two priorities remain for next session. The Protect Mental Health Act, which would ensure that New Yorkers are not harmed by federal parity rollbacks; and S5241 / A6648, which would establish evidence-based standards for medical necessity, limit insurer denials and clawbacks, and protect access to prescribed mental health and substance use treatment.
“Inseparable thanks Congressman Paul Tonko, Sens. James Skoufis, Nathalia Fernandez and Samra Brouk, and Assemblymembers Tony Simone, Pamela Hunter, and Jo Anne Simon for championing mental health legislation this session. Inseparable remains committed to working with lawmakers, advocates and partners next session to turn this year’s progress into lasting change for New Yorkers.”
Hodgson is available for interviews to discuss New York’s mental health progress and opportunities for next session.
About Inseparable
Inseparable is a national mental health advocacy organization founded on the principle that mental health is inseparable from physical health. Inseparable drives transformative change at the federal and state levels by engaging bipartisan policymakers, mobilizing support, and advancing mental health and substance use disorder policies that help people thrive. Inseparable works to expand access to care, promote youth mental health, improve crisis response, and strengthen the mental health workforce.