WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vt. could cut $20m in mental health services
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Associated Press - December 1, 2009 9:45 AM ET
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The state of Vermont could cut nearly $20 million in mental health services next year.
Some say the cuts could mean up to 3,000 people across the state would lose mental health services.
The Rutland Herald says the cuts were outlined to lawmakers and mental health advocates last week.
The cuts being considered include $10.5 million from the Community Rehabilitation and Treatment program and $2.7 million from adult outpatient care, ending state funding for that program.
State officials say the proposal is due to an unexpected drop in Medicare funding.
Ken Libertoff of the Vermont Association of Mental Health says the cuts would "effectively end Vermont's four-decade era of commitment to community mental health."
Information from: Rutland Herald, http://www.rutlandherald.com/
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