Branstad receives MHI petitions

DES MOINES ? Progress Iowa delivered more than 2,500 petition signatures to Gov. Branstad today, in opposition to his plan to privatize Iowa?s mental health care facilities in Clarinda and Mt. Pleasant.

The petition delivery occured just before the governor signed a ?Mental Health Month? proclamation at 11 a.m.

?Governor Branstad declaring May mental health month is laughable given his attacks on providers and those who are in need of care,? said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. ?First the governor wanted to shut down half of the state?s mental health institutes, and now he wants private corporations with no guarantee of oversight and the possibility of reduced care for Iowa?s most vulnerable. Either way, the Branstad plan for mental health care in Iowa is a recipe for disaster.?

?The governor?s proposed corporate takeover of the facilities in Clarinda and Mt. Pleasant does not meet the needs of Iowans facing mental health challenges,? said AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan. ?There is no guarantee that private providers will be found next year, and no plan to ensure the continuation of services for mental health patients. The only guarantee we have is that Governor Branstad will continue to put his political agenda ahead of Iowa?s workers and Iowans in need of care.?

Gov. Branstad has attempted to close two of the state?s four mental health facilities, in Clarinda and Mt. Pleasant. Those shutdowns have been opposed by legislators of both political parties, as well as 68% of Iowans, according to a recent survey conducted by Public Policy Polling. Under his most recent plan, the facilities in both locations would remain open under state control through the end of 2015. At that point, private corporations and providers would be recruited by the state to take over operations.