A Dose of Sanity For SB6182

Yesterday, some much needed sanity was added to SB6182 by senators who understand the importance of the role that RHCs play and who support fiscal accountability & even-handedness in making law, as well as absence of conflict of interest. Gold stars for Senators Schoesler, King, Honeford, Roach and Sheldon!

Saskia

more on SB6182

Understanding that it is never over until the budget is signed by the Governor, if all goes well, SB-6182, the bill that would have removed RHCs from state statute, has died. As of 5:45, with cut-off at 6:00, it had not passed out of the Rules Committee, and Committee Chair Brad Owens' Aide did not consider it probable that it would at such a late hour.

How this would affect the budget proviso that would fund closure of FHMC is a question mark. In theory it should prevent it but those of us who depend on RHC services and those who want to be able to, some day, will have to stay vigilant right up to the end.
Saskia

Pitting People With DD Against Each Other

SB 6182, should it become law, would remove RHCs from State statute. It would clear one obstacle from the path of closing the RHCs. Yesterday, in the morning it was added to the Sen. Ways & Means schedule and then passed on to the Rules Committee without having had a public hearing. Last year, it was tabled for lack of sufficient time for testimony in it's hearing! Why would public testimony have been avoided this year?

Those perpetuating the closure battle surely must know that RHCs actually set the basis for community funding; and closing them very likely would result in less, not more, available community funding for those who are currently wait listed ! So, whose interests could the closure push really be meant to serve? Who stands to gain, especially financially?

Pitting people with developmental disabilities against each other is wrong. Period. Each person is important!. Why not give up the attack strategy so we can work toward understanding and mutual support? Why not, in deed?

Saskia