Because a high percentage of the chronically homeless in King County face mental health issues, we felt that it was important to highlight the need for adequate mental health funding after King County has seen over $50 million in cuts in the past five years due to the way state funds are distributed. We worked to bring together the state's four most urban counties' elected leadership, along with the state's four largest United Ways' CEOs to submit a written request to the legislature for a more equitable distribution of funding. We also worked to educate legislators about the complex funding process, and to make the link between ending homelessness and adequate mental health treatment. King County will see an increase in mental health funding both for Medicaid recipients as well as for those who do not qualify for Medicaid. While we would still like to ensure that funding is distributed in such a way as to adequately address each community's unique mental health treatment demand, we are pleased that there is an increase that will begin to address those needs. The funding for those not qualifying for Medicaid will particularly help low-income non-citizen immigrants and refugees who, without this funding, would not likely have any other way to receive mental health treatment. Thank you to Senator Jim Hargrove (D-24) (Hoquiam) and Representative Eileen Cody (D-34) (Seattle) for their leadership on this issue.
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