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Senate OKs bills to keep mental health facilities open

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March 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Senate has passed a bill that would go against Gov. Terry’s Branstad’s plans to close two state mental health facilities in Iowa. The Senate voted 29-19 Wednesday to pass a bill that would require the state Department of Human Services to develop a comprehensive plan before it can close the state mental health facilities in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant. The Senate also voted 32-18 on another bill that would ensure the facilities remain open through the end of June.

There’s some Republican support for the bills, but it’s unclear if it’s enough to get them passed in both chambers. Branstad’s budget proposal removes funding for two of the four state mental health facilities in Iowa. Branstad calls the facilities outdated and says patients could receive more efficient treatment elsewhere.