Gov. Larry Hogan says "it's good for the taxpayers of Maryland" ("Assembly session ends in acrimony over budget," April 14) that he is choosing not to fund the package of budget cut restorations the General Assembly had approved.
One such cut is a 2 percent reduction in reimbursement rates for community mental health services. Another is continuation of a 13 percent cut in Medicaid reimbursement for doctors serving low-income children and adults, including psychiatrists providing medication and treatment in front-line clinics.
These cuts are bad for Maryland taxpayers because when access to lower cost community mental health services is denied, much costlier emergency rooms and hospital beds are the likely alternatives. Pay me now or pay me later.
These cuts also mean likely closures of vital programs. Most are small business nonprofits. The 52 agencies in our network of providers support 21,530 annual jobs, generate more than $1.6 billion in output, $682.2 million in wages and more than $73.1 million in total tax revenues in a given year, according to a recent analysis by the Regional Economic Studies Institute of Towson University.
Now, some of these jobs will be lost and programs across the state will be closed for business. When programs close, the door is closed on children, adults and families in need of care who have nowhere else to turn for help. Vulnerable Marylanders and Maryland taxpayers will pay the price.
Herbert S. Cromwell, Catonsville
The writer is executive director of the Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland.