Hoffman Backs Road-Block Legislators

Wayne Hoffman/Idaho Freedom Foundation appreciates that Coeur d’Alene has legislators, like Bob Nonini, Vito Barbieri, Kathy Sims and Ron Mendive, who fought against a mental health center for Coeur d’Alene: “Ah, but fear not, Coeur d’Alene. More crisis centers are planned, and Otter press secretary Jon Hanian said the governor is watching for “local legislative champions.” Of which, apparently, north Idaho doesn’t have enough. So now cue the outrage and the finger pointing, with behavioral health advocates saying Sims, Barbieri, Nonini and Mendive failed to “bring home the bacon.” First, I don’t think the creation of so-called behavioral health centers was a good step for the state. The concept has the lofty goal of cutting down emergency room and jail commitments, but the idea depends largely on voluntary, short-term commitments to these centers. Additionally, because the Legislature decided that no one can be turned away because of inability to pay, the government-funded services will invariably crowd out other, arguably better, non-governmental services for people with mental health problems and drug addictions.” More here .

Thoughts?