Morano questions Culhane on RTM pilot study rationale
Morano questions Culhane on why a pilot study would be problematic given it would generate data. Culhane argues the city is already funding RTM, evidence-based programs are shutting doors, and no academic institution is willing to fund RTM research, questioning why the city should fund what experts won't.
I really appreciate your testimony.
And I think you might have missed my remarks at the beginning of the hearing is even though I'm introducing this bill, I don't necessarily have a dog in the fight.
I'm really just reintroducing a bill that the prior chair.
Put in and I have no interest in pushing forward with forcing a treatment to be better recognized in New York City if it's not effective.
That being said, the bill itself
It is a pilot program and a study that leads to a pilot program.
What's wrong with that, right?
Why wouldn't that just give us more data?
And if it turns out to be, and I'm not saying it is, but if it turns out to be something concocted by a charlatan looking to make money, then we know, okay,
it stops there and potentially helps other cities or other state or federal agencies as they consider RTM in the future.
What's wrong with a pilot?
program and the study that leads to a pilot program?
Yeah, I would just say, one, we're already doing it, right?
I mean, there's something undergoing right now with city council money.
But number two, when we have programs that have evidence-backed scientific data of their efficacy that are shutting their doors, and there's such huge need,
why would we then go fund something that no academic institution seems willing to fund?
And I am not, you know, I've talked about RTM a few times in testimony, and I'm not a doctor, I'm not a mental health care provider, so this is just based on the logic of research we've looked at and just being concerned about our clients'needs.
Got it.
And not an attack, just a deep concern given the various ties and the lack of data.
Are there other treatments that aren't currently being prioritized in New York City that would be more effective than RTM?
And what do you think those might be?
So, again, I don't want to, I'm not qualified.
Right, I understand.
Right?
But, I mean, usual CBT, I don't prolong exposure, is controversial.
But there are various methods and different programs prioritize one over the other.
And so we just refer out.
And let veterans choose what they, you know, and speak with their providers about what's going to work best for them.