Dear New Yorkers,

The story of Michelle Go gripped New York City after she was fatally pushed in front of on oncoming train in Times Square more than two years ago. But the tragic story of her death started long before she was pushed. It began when the man who pushed her tried and failed to get the mental health care he needed.

That’s why I’m so encouraged to see Rep. Dan Goldman introduce the bipartisan Michelle Alyssa Go Act, which would expand Medicaid’s ability to cover long-term mental health care. This legislation will help New York City obtain more federal resources for psychiatric hospital beds, helping our neighbors and improving public safety in a continuum of care.

Right now, the city is experiencing what feels like a crisis of New Yorkers underserved by psychiatric services – and it’s made worse by a lack of affordable care for low-income patients.

As my office uncovered in an audit of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)’s Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) program, IMT is increasingly failing to help get mentally ill and homeless New Yorkers off the street and into stable housing due to poor management and coordination.

My office has suggested comprehensive approaches to ensure that vulnerable New Yorkers get the psychiatric care they need—including recommending that DOHMH develop reasonable, measurable targets for treatment, improve coordination with DOC and hospitals, and identify a dedicated set of housing vouchers to help IMT participants get off the street.

But these solutions won’t fix the crisis completely, which is why Rep. Goldman’s bipartisan legislation – crafted in partnership with Michelle Go’s family and other advocates – is so urgently needed.

Here’s to a more compassionate city,

Brad