July 17th, 2008

Mental health advocates in the Pittsburgh area are calling on state legislators to use the proceeds from the sale of the Mayview State Hospital to benefit area community mental health programs; instead of putting the money into the state’s general fund.

A public meeting was held last night to discuss the proposal; organized by members of the Mayview State Hospital Land Reuse Task Force.

Reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“Besides [Sen. John Pippy and Rep. Nick Kotik], the task force includes other state and local officials and members of community groups. It has been meeting since February and eventually plans to develop recommendations for use of the Mayview property. The state Department of Public Welfare, which has been downsizing Mayview for months, plans to close the hospital by the end of the year and move most patients to community settings.

Consumer advocates said they were particularly concerned about winning approval of a bill proposed by Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, that would direct funds from the sale or lease of state-owned facilities to help support the community needs of people with mental illness or mental retardation. A companion bill has been introduced by Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park.”