House budget 'good news' for patients, families at Taunton State Hospital

By Taunton Gazette Staff
Posted Apr. 10, 2014 @ 3:17 pm
Updated at 3:19 PM
 
BOSTON — The $36.2 billion budget that the House Ways and Means Committee released Wednesday calls for keeping Taunton State Hospital opened at a reduced 45 bed capacity through fiscal 2015. Lawmakers in recent years have fought the Patrick administration's plan to relocate Taunton State Hospital beds to a new facility in Worcester.

Jim Durkin, assistant director of legislation for AFSCME Council 93 and a member of the Massachusetts State Legislature Mental Health Advisory Commission, praised the item. "Today's action by the Massachusetts House of Representatives is fantastic news for the individuals, families and many other stakeholders who rely on the high quality care delivered by the workers at Taunton State Hospital," Durkin said in a release. "The 45 beds provided for in the House budget would ensure that the facility survives for another fiscal year. It also provides the strong base needed to allow the facility to expand in the future and ensures that comprehensive mental health services are available in all regions of the commonwealth."