Governor Martin O’Malley says he will consider a plan from a state employees union to save the Upper Shore mental health center in Chestertown – but also couches his comment in the context of needing to cut the budget.
O’Malley said Wednesday the Board of Public Works, while considering the union plan, also will have to consider $300 million in additional cuts to the budget planned for Nov. 18.
Supporters of Upper Shore will have to put the governor’s comments in the context of what the Board did at its Wednesday meeting – approving $24 million in spending on stadium-related projects.
Some remaining hope for Upper Shore was reflected in the plan by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees that would keep the center operating with fewer employees and by spending $2 million less than its current $7 million budget. About 20 of the 90 employees would be laid off and the number of beds would be reduced.
O’Malley, noting Maryland faces another $2 billion shortfall in revenues next fiscal year, said, it will be “the most challenging budget” ever for the state.
Before he spoke, the Board of Public Works okayed the $24 million in stadium spending, including $4 million for a new scoreboard at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. It also approved $10 million for “structural improvements” at Camden Yards, home of the Orioles, which was built in 1992. Plus another $10 million for energy conservation measures at both stadiums.
This money comes from the budget of the Maryland Stadium Authority – not the state’s operation budget, which would fund Upper Shore.
The allocation prompted Comptroller Peter Franchot to quip that maybe the state could save the money by just borrowing the scoreboard from FedEx Field — since the Redskins didn’t seen to need one.
Warrior Bob Kramer says
It also approved $10 million for “structural improvements” at Camden Yards, home of the Orioles>>>>
That’s about the price of a decent pitcher nowadays… and hopefully “structural improvements” refers to improving their won-loss record. I guess it’s too much to ask the owners to share in some of the pain.
rachel goss says
I understand that the $ comes from the Stadium Authority – and I suppose we aren’t at liberty to tap those funds. The message sent, however, is that the stadiums, and trickle down revenue from our state teams, is more important than this hospital and it’s employees and patients. It is not more important – it is just MORE…
Once again, the trickle down effects of closing Upper Shore are shadowed. I really want to know Why so much time and energy is being spent on this potential closing. No good will come from USCMHC being closed. This is not a situation where there needs to be Proof that the good out-weighs the bad. It already does – naturally – w/o intervention.
I could write a few paragraphs on why US is being considering to be included in the budget cuts. I could write 10 pages on why it should not be included.
So – this was started on bad information and now is spinning out of control. I understand the back-story, and I understand the current situation. This has gone far enough. Really! He said – She said – but he didn’t vote for this 2 years ago – and she didn’t vote for that 6 weeks ago – but the money has to come from SomeWhere – Hey, let’s blame Frank Kratovil – but US wasn’t supposed to be open Forever… ok, we got it…really!
Really – Let the DHMH and Upper Shore work together to keep the hospital open and create a manageable operating cost plan. Really – Take USCMHC out of the pile of papers filed under “on which to vote”. Please stop looking for the ‘robust’ needle in the haystack…it’s not there – really!
“Don’t be Prideful” said Gov. O’Malley to Sec. Joh Colmers. Really!!!
Rachel Carter Goss
Mary Wood says
A 4 million dollar scoreboard vs. the Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center? Are those really the priorities of our elected officials ? I fear they need to listen to the friends, families , caretakers and sufferers of mental illness.
Tonya Rider says
Agreed!!! As an employee of Upper Shore I can say at this point in the game I really don’t care who voted for what within the last two years. Is it possible that some people which will remain namelss (you know who you are) get over themselves and lets get back to what is important…..THE PATIENTS……..
The previous, current or possible future patients of Upper Shore still will have no where to go if the hospital closes PERIOD.
I know the surrounding available community facilities have been pressured to believe if Upper Shore stays open their additional future funds are in jeopardy however; there would be no additional funds if the employees of Upper Shore had not fought so hard to get the attention of DHMH on the extreme lack of “robust” community treatment centers.
This should not be about Upper Shore versus Community facility. This should be about the patients. Can we stop pointing the finger at the politics of the situation there are peoples lives at stake.
Ann Sutton says
I wholeheartedly agree. This has moved beyond the budget and has become political. The bottom line to all of this is the PATIENTS. They are the ones who will suffer the most. As I tried to convey to DHMH and Secretary of State earlier this week, we the employees of Upper Shore don’t want to see the outpatient providers lose funding. It has become a “don’t shoot me; shoot my brother instead” mentality with this issue. The reality is that both inpatient and outpatient services are needed to provide care for this population who are not able to advocate for themselves. Peoples lives are in the balance here! I know that the present economy is contributing to the need to make cuts but at the end of the day doesn’t all the money belong to the State? Can’t we borrow the money from one “pot” such as the Stadium Authority to maintain services that effect people and then when things get better put it back in that “pot”; don’t we all end up doing that in our own homes when a necessity such as a water heater or furnace needs replacing and we have to postpone buying that flat sceen TV. I know that is over simplifying things but really where are the priorities? We can buy land, allocate money for scoreboards but can find the money to fund a hospital which is vital to a community. What is wrong with this picture?
steve goldblatt says
Another Virginia Tech related mental health tragedy happened yesterday. Some Virginia Tech alumnus psychiatrist went on a shooting spree at Fort Hood, Texas. 13 people were killed and 30 were wounded. Gee, I hope the Governor doesn’t think that this event provides even more of a reason to shut the hospital down. What is the country coming to when Doctors commit horrific violent crimes. If it makes sense to me that more services, more hospitals, and greater access to care is urgently needed than the opposite outcome is guaranteed to happen. I suspect with more cuts coming, more State Hospitals will close. I have concluded that it is a waste of time to think rationally about this and to think that the State will ultimately make a reasonable decision is just as fruitless. I can only hold out hope like everyone else but sadly I think the prospects are becoming dim.
Marion Mudd says
Wondering about the wise use of Maryland state funds/taxpayer dollars?
In this “recession-recovery” period as citizens and the state try to recoup, what should limited tax dollars be spent on? If the state must decide between maintaining vital community health care services, such as keeping Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center open on a $7 million budget, or spending $24 for “stadium spending” at Camden Yards and the M & T Bank Stadium, including a new $4 million score board at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, the priority is very clear. Health care can’t wait. The well being of our families and neighbors comes first.
Gov. O’Malley, Treasurer Kopp and Comptroller Franchot, the three officials on the Maryland Board of Public Works, are charged to “ensure that significant State expenditures are necessary and appropriate, fiscally responsible, fair, and lawful. …and assure Marylanders that executive decisions are made responsibly and responsively.”
Without a doubt funding community health care services meets the test – it is “necessary and appropriate, fiscally responsible, fair and lawful.”
Surely the Board of Public Works members realize that it is hard to think of a more opportune time than now to provide “necessary and appropriate, fiscally responsible, fair” funds for community health care services. Those services must be a Maryland priority for the foreseeable future, and funded, not cut.
M. H. Mudd