Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Mental health advocates want more funding (Connecticut)
WFSB.com story - "Advocates for mental health treatment on Tuesday lobbied the legislature for more money. Two days before state lawmakers draft a budget remaking Gov. John G. Rowland's $14.2 billion spending plan, ralliers urged legislators to make better use of federal revenue from Medicaid, fund housing for mental health patients, promote early intervention and expand community services..."  
  

Long-debated mental health bill gets OK (Nebraska)
Daily Nebraskan story - "For a bill that initially faced considerable negative publicity and reluctance from senators, the mental health reform bill advanced relatively quickly on Tuesday, sailing through to select file after just two sessions of debate. LB1083, which was introduced by Sen. Jim Jensen of Omaha at the request of Gov. Mike Johanns, would close two of Nebraska's three regional mental health facilities in favor of community-based services. A last-minute deal Tuesday morning allayed fears on the part of many senators who were concerned that the plan would close down the centers before adequate alternative services were in place..."