UPDATED: State to Hold Public Hearing on Mental Health System Crisis

Submitted by Gordon Smith on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 11:37am

Rep. Charles Thomas (R-116) today moved that the House Appropriations Committee hold a public hearing regarding the mental health system crisis precipitated by Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom and her lackeys. The motion was seconded and carried.

Unless House Speaker Joe Hackney kills it, there will be a public hearing next week. Secretary Odom, Division Director Allen Dobson, Deputy Director Mark Benton, and Director Mike Moseley will also be expected to attend.

When I say public, I mean public. Every citizen of North Carolina who's affected by Secretary Hooker Odom's impulsive, dangerous decision to slash Community Support rate will have the right to speak.

I'm still waiting to get a firm date and time on this, but I expect it will be Tuesday, April 24 at 8:30 a.m. Let's fill the place up and hold Hooker Odom and her lackeys accountable for their rash, irresponsible actions.

I'll update later in the day with more information. Don't let up the pressure on Hooker Odom and the can't-shoot-straight gang, but if you're looking for a change of pace you could contact Representative Thomas' office to thank him for taking the lead in bringing this issue under proper legislative scrutiny.

I know we're a partisan Democrat site, but when a Republican takes the lead to help our most vulnerable citizens and does so without making political hay of it, we need to thank him for acting like a good Democrat.

Rep. Charles Thomas email
Phone: 919-715-3012

UPDATE: After the Appropriations Committee meeting today, Rep. Beverly Earle (D-101) was rushed to hospital for unknown reasons. Her hospitalization may delay scheduling of the hearing. As one of the Chairs of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, she is partially responsible for setting the date and time.

So now we wait.

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Unique's picture

Yes, Indeed

Submitted by Unique on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 12:06pm.

"...when a Republican takes the lead to help our most vulnerable citizens and does so without making political hay of it, we need to thank him..."

I will do that as soon as I return to my own computer. Thanks for providing a link.

Done

Submitted by James Protzman on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 12:33pm.

Thanked him.

Excellent news Screwy

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 12:59pm.

I will be there in spirit.

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.

Wooo hoooo

Submitted by Drama Queen on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 2:09pm.

Thanks to all you guys who have been dropping everything to put up the good fight.

Did you see this appalling response by our governor in a good article about calls for Hooker Odom's firing in the N&O this morning?

"The governor has every confidence in Secretary Hooker Odom and he has asked her to make certain the state is not overpaying for community support services," Easley's communications director, Sherri Johnson, said in a statement.

"He will be getting a fuller accounting from her, but he has been monitoring this situation and is familiar with the audit she has performed that shows providers have been over-charging and misusing these services. That cuts deeply into the funds that would otherwise be available for other mental health and substance abuse services and there needs to be a significant adjustment."

And here's Hooker Odom's bald-faced lies:

Hooker Odom said she needed to act decisively to curb overspending. She said she is responsible for proper spending of federal Medicaid money, which pays more than two-thirds of the cost for most patients who use the basic service.

"I am absolutely duty bound to be responsive and responsible to their requirements," she said.

 
“All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.” So enjoy the drama.

Blue South's picture

oh yeah?

Submitted by Blue South on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 4:07pm.

I had a conversation today with someone and I said that there are certain issues that make you a Democrat or a Republican.

Health Care, Trade/Union Issues, Poverty etc. Your approach to certain problems puts you in one category or another, and has nothing to do with things like gay marriage, or guns or a lottery or whatever.

The governor is obviously not on our side on this issue.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Hey, should we be emailing

Submitted by Drama Queen on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 2:22pm.

Hackney so he resists any gubernatorial pressure to nix the hearing?
 
“All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.” So enjoy the drama.

Perhaps the best approach is to email Hackney

Submitted by Linda on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 3:51pm.

and let him know how much we will be looking forward to seeing him at the hearing. Take a positive approach - and encourage him to be bi-partisan in this.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

Blue South's picture

great idea

Submitted by Blue South on Tue, 04/17/2007 - 4:11pm.

very nice approach.

Draft Brad Miller -- NC Sen ActBlue :::Liddy 44 Brad 33

Colin Powell Weeps at Obama Victory

"Look what we did. Look what we did."

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