The Executive Budget proposal to close 450 inpatient beds and to abolish 120 jobs and layoff of the employees in the Office of Mental Health (OMH).

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a local resident and constituent, I am strongly opposed to The Executive Budget proposal to close 450 inpatient beds and to abolish 120 jobs and layoff of the employees in the Office of Mental Health (OMH).

OMH is abdicating its responsibility to provide access to appropriate mental health services by reducing the number of beds and lowering the standard of care for severely mentally ill patients. The proposed Transitional Placement Program would diminish the level of care for 300 patients from a fully staffed, full clinical treatment model to that of an outpatient model of care with minimal clinical programming.

Additionally, plans to stop providing clinical care to long term patients who are not ready to receive services in the community is a return to warehousing of the mentally ill.

The demand for mental health services is likely to increase, not decrease, in an economic downturn. The closure of 450 adult inpatient beds, 11% of current capacity, by closing or restructuring 18 wards, will deny access to needed mental health treatment for persons with severe mental illness.

The governor's budget would also allow OMH to avoid the law requiring 12 month notice to local governments, community organizations, labor, and advocacy groups for significant reduction of services when closing hospital wards. The notice was placed in statute to allow a well planned transition for patients, communities and employees, as well, the reconsideration of any reduction in services and facilities.

I urge you to restore funding for the 450 inpatient beds and 120 jobs eliminated in the budget as well as reject the proposal and void the required 12 month notice of reduction services by OMH.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 07, 2009