(Texas Tribune/Claire Cardona)
Despite an increase in state spending on mental health care, Texas still ranks last in per capita funding for people with mental illness, according to a report issued by the National Alliance of Mental Illness.
The report showed Texas increased its spending by 4.3 percent over the last three years — the 2012 budget is $964.1 million. But NAMI Texas Executive Director Robin Peyson said that’s not enough. “I think that mental health stakeholders, NAMI and other partners, need to help our policymakers understand why it’s penny-wise and pound-foolish to not pay for mental health services,” Peyson said.
Although Texas was one of a handful of states that didn’t have its mental health budget cut over that time period, Peyson said the state has the largest uninsured population, one that’s only growing. (Full story at Texas Tribune)
Other Stories That Caught Our Attention:
- Report: TX Curriculum Negatively Changes College Preparedness (KUHF-Public Radio)
- Creating Affordable Housing Options With The Help Of Art (KUHF-Public Radio)
- Homelessness & America’s Veterans in Houston (Talk of the Nation – NPR)
- A Gold Rush of Subsidies in Clean Energy Search (New York Times)
- Harris County Receives Top Honors in Emergency Management (Press Release)