Cuomo’s True Record on Mental Health Issues Revealed

As the Democratic primary approaches, Andrew Cuomo finds himself in a strong polling position, potentially leading towards a mayoral nomination in New York City. However, should he secure the party’s endorsement and subsequently triumph in the general election, significant challenges lie ahead, notably in addressing critical issues stemming from his tenure as governor, particularly in the realm of mental health.

During his administration in the 2010s, Cuomo implemented extensive cuts to New York’s psychiatric hospital infrastructure. This decision resulted in the elimination of hundreds of psychiatric beds, exacerbating the state’s ongoing crisis of untreated serious mental illness. The repercussions of these cuts have placed substantial pressure on urban services, including jails and homelessness assistance programs.

Under Cuomo’s “Transformation Plan,” initiated in 2014, the intention was to reduce reliance on inpatient psychiatric care, which he argued was indicative of a bloated healthcare system. At the launch of this initiative, approximately 4,000 beds were available in state psychiatric centers, a significant decrease from over 90,000 in the mid-1950s. By Cuomo’s resignation in August 2021, the program had resulted in a reduction of about 770 beds statewide — a 19% decrease overall, with New York City specifically losing 275 beds, equating to a 17% reduction.

Despite Cuomo’s assertions that these cuts would facilitate enhanced community-based mental health care at reduced costs, the actual savings were largely offloaded onto city taxpayers. In the initial four years following the plan’s implementation, expenses for mental health shelters within the New York City Department of Homeless Services surged by over 50%. Simultaneously, emergency calls regarding “emotionally disturbed persons” rose sharply, and the proportion of seriously mentally ill individuals incarcerated in city jails increased from 10.2% to 16.5%.

Public perception during this period may have shielded Cuomo from accountability for these reductions due to factors such as Mayor Bill de Blasio’s poorly received “Thrive NYC” initiative, which drew scrutiny for its ineffectiveness. Although Cuomo did not close entire psychiatric hospitals, the widespread nature of the bed reductions made their impact less apparent.

In his current mayoral campaign, Cuomo has unveiled a mental health strategy that attempts to address some of these issues, yet he continues to defend the rationale behind his earlier cuts. He maintains that reallocating resources to community-based care is beneficial; however, experts argue that revitalizing inpatient psychiatric services is essential for effectively managing New York’s mental health crisis. The current infrastructure is insufficient to meet the needs of those seeking voluntary psychiatric care, let alone those requiring involuntary treatment.

Cuomo’s evolving stance on inpatient care may be a recognition of the shortcomings of past policies. His proposal includes expanding psychiatric beds in city hospitals for individuals entangled in the criminal justice system and ensuring consistent enforcement of involuntary treatment laws.

If Cuomo assumes the mayoral office, he may find a more supportive environment for mental health initiatives under current Governor Kathy Hochul, who has already restored some of the psychiatric beds previously cut during his governorship. Coupled with Mayor Eric Adams, whose administration is committed to addressing mental health reform, there exists an opportunity for an effective partnership.

However, Cuomo’s track record poses a significant obstacle. As he approaches state lawmakers with requests for support in ameliorating a mental health crisis that he arguably exacerbated through prior policies, he faces the challenge of reconciling his past decisions with the pressing needs of the present. The success of any future initiatives may hinge significantly on his ability to manage the delicate balance of responsibility and reform, ensuring continuity in addressing the urgent needs of New Yorkers grappling with mental health issues.

New Yorkers await to see if Cuomo can rise to the occasion, leveraging both his experiences and the current political support for mental health reform to foster meaningful change in a system that requires urgent attention and action.

Media News Source.