Saturday, October 17, 2009
Beshear Proposes Psychiatric Youth Facilities
Representative Tom Burch has pre-filed a measure aimed at putting the brakes on a plan proposed by Governor Steve Beshear. Despite a unanimous vote by the Administrative Regulations Review Subcommittee against it and strong opposition from the state's hospital and nursing home associations, Governor Beshear is proposing to add up to eight 50-bed psychiatric units for adolescents who are presently being treated out-of-state. Burch says he's not trying to make the governor look bad, but, instead, he fears there will be lawsuits as a result of the plan. About 230 Kentucky children suffer severe physical and psychological problems and are receiving long-term treatment at out-of-state facilities, and, although there have been discussions for more than 25 years about bringing them back to Kentucky for treatment, state hospital officials say the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is attempting to fast-track the proposal. Burch and Beshear agree the children need to be brought back to Kentucky but have not yet finalized a plan.
# posted by Homer Owens @ 5:02 PM 
