Folks, Blunt is talking about saving $18 million pablum by his handlers to the press, LOOK at this article from JUST last May, 2004  By Carolyn Tuft of the Post Dispatch!1  Over 90% of the BHC budget comes out of Fed and Private funds, the State's shares is under $2.5 million annually, UNDER 10 % of the operating Budget !!!, and they pick THIS as something to cut??? !!!
Of the $25.4 million a year it costs to operate the Bellefontaine center,
the state kicks in $2.3 million. The rest comes from federal and private
money.
 
A study published last year in the Mental Retardation Journal on the cost
of state-run versus privately run centers and homes for the mentally
retarded found no savings for taxpayers by putting the residents in community settings.
 
In presenting the study, Thomas Frain, president of the Coalition of
Families and Advocates for the Retarded, contended that politically
connected vendors were pressing for the shift from state institutions to
privately run facilities.
 
Persuaded in part by that report, U.S. District Judge Bernice Donald last year stopped Tennessee from closing a center similar to Bellefontaine.
***Stay tuned for Mickey Slawson with Randy Gardner on his show on St Louis County Cable Ch #20 airing NOW, and various times over the weekend and beyond. ***









(From Stl Today    (post-Dispatch- web site 12/3/2012)



Justice Department's aggressive actions force habilitation centers to close

Dec 3rd, 2012

Justice department's aggressive actions force habilitation centers to close

The article “Northwest center for disabled is closed” (Nov. 27) brings to light a national issue about the care of people with severe mental and physical disabilities.

Part of the real story behind the nationwide closing of habilitation centers is the aggressive action by the Department of Justice. The department is grossly misinterpreting the 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision, which states: “We emphasize that nothing in the ADA or its implementing regulations condones termination of institutional settings for persons unable to handle or benefit from community settings. ... Nor is there any federal requirement that community-based treatment be imposed on patients who do not desire it.”

Contrary to this clear statement, the Justice Department is using this decision to threaten states with lawsuits claiming that the civil rights of the residents are being violated, just because they live in one of these centers. To avoid a Justice Department lawsuit, governors of states are settling out of court and agreeing to close habilitation centers. The fact that these residents are thriving in these centers is being ignored.

Across the nation, families rely on the comprehensive, life-saving services offered at habilitation centers. We are greatly alarmed by the misguided, aggressive actions of the Justice Department that are putting our family members in harm’s way. Families are to be the primary decision makers about services received.

Mary A. Vitale  •  Florissant



http://articles.parentsassociationbhc.com/EDITORIALS%20Dec%203rd-2012.pdf