New Orleans - Governor Jindal vetoed money for the mental facility yesterday and those fighting to save New Orleans Adolescent Hospital say they are disappointed.
Gentilly resident Beulah Labostrie knows all too well what its like to have to go to Southeast Louisiana Hospital in Mandeville for treatment. She had to take her daughter there, and says she didn't like having to travel so far.
Labostrie says, if NOAH shuts its doors, people may not get the help they need, and the mental health problems in the city, will get worse.
NOAH is set to close in September. Two new smaller outpatient community based mental health clinics will open in Mid City and on the Westbank.
City Council member Arnie Fielkow issued the statement:
"I am truly frustrated with Governor Bobby Jindal's decision to apply a line item veto to $14.2 million in funds dedicated by the Legislature to the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital - one of the last vestiges of mental health facilities in Orleans Parish.
"Governor Jindal must know what this veto will mean for those New Orleans-area citizens in need of hospitalization: the reduction of in-patient beds by another 35 for a total loss of 231 in-patient beds since Hurricane Katrina; that parents, guardians and/or significant others will be forced to commute 40 miles to see and assist in the assessment and treatment of their loved ones; and there will be zero public sector facilities in New Orleans to provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services for children and adolescents.
"I beseech Gov. Jindal and Department of Health and Hospital Secretary Alan Levine to reconsider this critical decision. I heartily thank all legislators who voted against the closure and who voted in favor of additional funding to keep this crucial facility open. Various groups have requested, and I have accepted, to sponsor a forum for advocates to appeal to legislators to override Governor Jindal's veto. The meeting will be held on July 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the City Council Chamber."
The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals responded to Fielkow saying:
“Statements by Council President Fielkow that mental health services have been cut by merging NOAH with Southeast Louisiana Hospital are wrong. The Governor’s veto has prevented damaging health care policy from being implemented.
The legislature did not appropriate any new funds for NOAH. Instead, they only shifted funds from SELH in Mandeville and from other outpatient mental health services in Southeast Louisiana. Indeed, the legislature underfunded NOAH by nearly $6 million, which would have required the closure of inpatient beds and outpatient services – the reverse of what we are trying to achieve.
DHH’s plan to provide services for the area produces $9.1 million of savings, requires no reduction in outpatient or inpatient services for the region, and provides for community-based outpatient mental health services in New Orleans.”
