Health & Fitness
Lupinacci Attends Joint Mental Health Committee Hearing
Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,WF,I-Huntington Station) yesterday attended a joint Mental Health Hearing along with members of the Senate and Assembly Mental Health Committees. The hearing focused on potential closures of mental health facilities across Long Island, including the Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center (Sagamore), which Lupinacci opposes.
“The health and safety of our children and communities is largely dependent upon the mental health services available to those in need,” said Lupinacci. “Unfortunately, these services often take a back seat to other priorities, which may be more glamorous or politically connected. This can have devastating results for communities as we’ve seen all too often. Sagamore has a long and proud history of providing comprehensive, specialized, and accessible mental health care to many of New York’s children suffering from a variety of psychological troubles.”
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“I am opposed to the closure or drastic reconfiguration of Sagamore under the current proposed plans. I am working closely with my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate to make sure that other avenues are explored in order to satisfy the needs of both OMH and Sagamore. Our children deserve the finest care for whatever illnesses they face, be they physical or psychological, and I urge residents across the Island to show their support for our mental health providers,” concluded Lupinacci.
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These changes to mental health services are part of an ongoing statewide restructuring project included in this year’s New York State Budget and were opposed by Lupinacci in March.