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Washington Workers and Supporters Rally to Save People With Disabilities |
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This cross-post from AFSCME highlights the protest by members of AFSCME Local 573 in Washington State against Gov. Chris Gregoire’s (D) plan to close two residential facilities to help balance the state budget.
Members of the Washington Federation of State Employees (AFSCME) Local 573, Council 28, the City Council of Medical Lake and community supporters are protesting the planned closure of Lakeland Village, a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities. Council 28 and others say the state did not take into account the cost of relocating most of the patients to state-run group homes or privately supported living facilities.
The shutdown of Lakeland Village is part of the governor’s Office of Financial Management’s plan to close down all of the state’s intermediate care facilities by 2018.
“This isn’t about saving money,” said Council 28 President Carol Dotlich, who joined the picket at the governor’s Spokane office Oct. 19.
It’s about letting for-pay corporations into the state and making some money off our disabled citizens.
Adds Nikki Brayman, a resident services coordinator and a member of Local 573:
The most vulnerable won’t make it, and the most active will end up in jail, overwhelming local law enforcement.
Delores Nettleton, whose adult daughter has lived in Lakeland Village since 1972, is concerned about the quality of care in privately run facilities.
She has medical issues that require constant monitoring. Group homes are fine for baby-sitting or those who don’t have severe medical issues.
Medical Lake Mayor John Higgins and the city council also oppose the shutdown. Higgins says:
A lot of people who work there live here. It’s a shame they are even thinking about closing it down.
The governor and state legislature were expected to make a final decision on the closure by the end of October.
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