And where we can the State should use the same insurers for all our programs so when families are in different programs they can still see the same doctors. I'm also disappointed that we're seeing a delay in the implementation of Family Health Plus, which was supposed to start on January first of this year. Now that the program has been authorized we need to get it online as soon as possible to serve the estimated 600,000 people who will be eligible. I hope you'll join me in urging the Governor to push for the federal waiver we need to make it happen. We've also got to meet our commitment to community mental health services which began with the Community Reinvestment Act back in 1993.
Community services are an absolutely essential part of the system.
I don't agree with this approach. The need for salary enhancements shouldn't be linked to closing beds. We've got to find ways to pay direct care workers more to attract and retain good people because those employees are the foundation sound mental health care. And the best thing we can do to create better policies and better access to care is to work together in the political arena. All of the challenges we face are political challenges that require political action.