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State Representative Paul Thissen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5375
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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STARVATION IS NOT THE PATH TO MEANINGFUL REFORM
St. Paul, MN - State Representative Paul Thissen is announcing a plan today to protect vulnerable Minnesotans and save jobs by slowing down policy redesign efforts by State Operated Services (SOS).
Thissen said the Department of Human Services (DHS) has overstepped its authority in proposing sweeping plans to close dental clinics, reduce mental health services, and lay off workers.
“Last session, the state legislature gave the Anoka – Metro Regional Treatment Center and Minnesota Extended Treatment Options (METO) the go-ahead for redesign," said Thissen. “Included in that legislation was the stipulation that these changes could not result in lay-offs. Despite that provision, well over 200 lay-offs are planned for May 1st at facilities around the state, including many at Anoka and METO – a clear indication the DHS is side-stepping the state legislature and going it alone.”
Thissen plans to offer an amendment to the House Budget Bill that will prohibit the SOS redesign from proceeding without explicit legislative approval.
Becky Romosz, an RN in State Operated Services, said her concern is the loss of “patient centered care" to that of "fiscal centered care”.
“The Governor's plan will decimate services for people with mental illness and result in the loss of many jobs for state employees, including RNs,” said Romosz. “These cuts, on top of the cuts to the General Assistance Medical Care Program, are troubling, indeed. We are losing focus in this state, and our clients and our workers are paying the price.”
Some of the recommendations include closing a Crisis Center in Mankato, a Community Transition Services facility in Eveleth, and several dental clinics in the state.
“Cost savings should be the welcome benefit of redesign, not the driving force,” said Thissen. “By focusing on improving efficiencies and more effective treatment options, not only will we see costs come down, we will also see improved care for the clients who depend on these services. Starvation is not a path to meaningful reform.”
News Items
- DFL Leaders Eager to Confront Minnesota’s Challenges with Focus on Economy and Middle Class - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 2:21PM)
- State Representative John Persell appointed Majority Whip - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 1:11PM)
- Speaker-designate Thissen to Establish Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
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