The New York State Legislature voted last week to approve a restoration of funding to the Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders (CCCEDs) back to $1.2 million in the 2016-2017 state budget. This is big news because that funding has been dramatically slashed in recent years, with some centers receiving only $40,000 per center, which essentially eliminated their ability to provide care.

NEDA took a group of amazing advocates to Albany to lobby for the restoration of these funds last month - this victory proves that our voices are having an impact!

The restoration of this funding has once again made New York State a national leader in providing an innovative model for a network of coordinated and continuous care for eating disorders across the state.

Background

Back in 2005, in recognition of the importance of adequate care for eating disorders, the New York State Department of Health identified three Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders (CCCEDs) which specialize in providing comprehensive and integrated treatment specifically for patients with eating disorders.  Each center was provided with grants, initially at $1.5 million, so that they could provide unparalleled, comprehensive range of specialized clinical services; and, in addition to medical and psychological services, the centers also conduct community outreach and prevention. Over the years, funding for the centers has been slashed dramatically.

The New York State Department of Health has funded partnerships in three areas of the state as Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders (CCCEDs):  Western New York (University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester School of Nursing and Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong); Northeastern New York (Albany Medical College and Four Winds Hospital); and Metropolitan New York (New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Cohen Children’s Medical Center/North Shore-LIJ Health System).

Why It Matters

With the passage of the New York State Budget last week, the centers have been funded again very close to their original amount which will allow for more care management and transitional services, particularly in outlying counties of our regions, relapse prevention services, and additional education and training of parents, school personnel and primary care and mental health providers.  NEDA thanks the New York State Assembly, Senate, and Governor Cuomo for their support of this important program. We especially thank the New York State Senate, under the extraordinary leadership of Senator Flanagan, who worked so hard to restore funding to this important project, and Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz for his continued leadership and support.

We would also like to recognize the advocates from across the state who participated in NEDA’s 2016 lobby day in Albany On March 9, 2016. These advocates educated elected leaders from across New York about the importance of the CCEDs, and encouraged them to restore this much-needed funding. The advocates played an important role in bringing attention to this cause, and truly helped make a difference in the fight against eating disorders in New York!

What People Are Saying

“Hearing heartbreaking stories from my constituents and others who have struggled with eating disorders about the devastating effects these diseases have had on individuals and their families, coupled with the difficulty they experienced in obtaining appropriate care, led me to sponsor legislation back in 2009 creating the Comprehensive Centers for Eating Disorders,” said Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz.  “These programs have quite literally saved lives.  New York cannot afford to take a step backward and lose these programs.  It is critical that funding be maintained at adequate levels for these centers.”
-Felix Ortiz, Assitant Speaker

“The restoration of funding for the Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders has once again made New York a national leader in providing an innovative model for a network of coordinated and continuous care across the state. We are grateful to the New York State Assembly and Governor Cuomo for supporting this life-saving program. We would like to especially thank the New York State Senate, under the extraordinary leadership of Senator Flanagan, who worked so hard to restore funding to this important project, and Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz for his continued leadership and support.”
- Claire Mysko, CEO of NEDA

"New York State has established a model program for the management of individuals with severe eating disorders. This unusual piece of legislation has found support from both the Assembly and the Senate, from both the Republicans and the Democrats, creating a mechanism where eating disorder specialty programs work together to improve care coordination and management of particularly complex or chronic cases in locations closer to home communities. As a New Yorker, I'm proud of my state's commitment to individuals with eating disorders and its ongoing support of the CCCED."
- Dr. Evelyn Attia, Director of the Columbia Center for Eating Disorders and Metro CCCED Program Director