New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced plans to add 1,000 inpatient psychiatric treatment beds and create 3,500 housing units to address deficiencies in the state’s mental health system.
“We haven’t invested enough in mental health for so long and allowed the situation to get so bad that it has escalated into a public safety crisis,” Hochul said in a statement.
“This proposal marks a sea change in making sure no one is left behind and finally fully meeting the mental health needs of all New Yorkers,” the governor added.
The multi-year plan of more than $1 billion was announced as part of the Democratic governor’s annual State of the State address, which he is expected to deliver at 1:00 p.m.
It would also increase insurance coverage for mental health services, expand outpatient services and create greater liability for hospital admissions and discharges.
The plan would direct state-licensed hospitals to reopen 850 inpatient psychiatric beds that were mothballed during the pandemic.
The state would also create 150 new adult beds in state mental hospitals, including 100 in New York City.
Hochul said the state will provide capital investment and operating funds for 3,500 new residential units. This includes 1,500 support housing for people with serious mental illness and 900 transition units.
