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Branstad proposes closing Clarinda and Mt. Pleasant mental health facilities

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January 15th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has proposed the closure of two of the state’s four mental health institutions. Amy Lorentzen McCoy, an Iowa Department of Human Services spokeswoman, said Wednesday that Branstad didn’t include funding for the Clarinda and Mount Pleasant facilities in his budget proposal released this week. Money to the facilities will be cut off July 1st.

The Des Moines Register reports the institutions have experienced a population decline for decades, with only 24 residents currently at Clarinda facility and 47 in Mount Pleasant. McCoy says a 2009 taskforce previously recommended closure under Governor Chet Culver, but the proposal was dropped. Branstad also discussed consolidating mental health services last month, but said there were no immediate plans to do so.

Facilities in Cherokee and Independence will remain open.