Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.
We are writing to request that you reconsider the closure of the Grand Junction Regional Center Skilled Nursing Care Unit. This unit houses and gives exceptional medical care to 32 physically and mentally fragile individuals. This is the only unit of this type on the Western Slope, and has earned a Five Star rating from Medicare.
Governor Ritter, this is a success story and should be cited as an example of good Government. Government that demonstrates compassion, quality of service and a dedication to those families that look to our state as a health care provider of last hope for their loved ones.
Since your proposal affects the only Regional Center Unit of this type on the Western Slope, the people served by this facility will be disproportionately affected by moves that could take them far from family, or local moves to non- Five Star rated facilities that are not as prepared to take on people with such severe physical and mental limitations.
The complexity of the condition of these clients calls for a carefully planned and detailed placement process. The current aggressive placement schedule and lack of comparable certified facilities would constitute an unacceptable, unnecessary and potentially life threatening risk for these individuals.
As fiscal conservatives, we agree that we need to balance the budget through appropriate budget cuts, not through additional taxation and fees. Governor, this service is a critical function of State Government and we believe that lives are at stake. We agree that there can be greater cost efficiencies in the Regional Center System but do not believe that cutting the Five Star Skilled Nursing Care Unit is the place to start.
We feel strongly that the Centers are in the best position to determine how to achieve the $2.8 million reduction with the least Health and Safety impact to some of the most fragile souls in our state. We respectfully request that you ask the Directors of the Regional Centers to recommend cuts across the three centers to achieve the best possible outcome.
Sincerely,
Representative Steve King Representative Laura Bradford
