House panel delays action on mental health bill

By: Associated Press | Alabama's13.com
Published: February 25, 2010

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A House committee is considering a bill
that would require the Alabama Department of Mental Health to get
permission from three-fifths of the House and Senate before
privatizing care for mental health patients.
The House Government Appropriations Committee delayed action
Wednesday on the bill by Democratic Rep. Alan Harper of Aliceville.
Committee chairman Democratic Rep. John Knight asked Harper and
other supporters to meet with Gov. Bob Riley and Department of
Mental Health officials to work out a compromise.
The state mental health board recently approved the sale of
historic Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa to the University of Alabama
for $60 million. Harper and the mayors of Tuscaloosa and Northport
said they are concerned the state will decide to turn over care of
the mental health patients to a private company.

View More: Alabama, Alabama Department Of Mental Health, Alan Harper, Aliceville, Bob Riley, Bryce Hospital, Chairman, Governor, Health_Medical_Pharma, House Committee, House Government Appropriations Committee, John Knight, Montgomery, Northport, Politics, Senate, Social Issues, State Mental Health Board, University Of Alabama

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