A request to DU

A mental health worker has asked me if I wanted to do an interview with a a reporter in a local paper concerning these possible impending horrible cuts in funding to mental health services in Maryland.

I agreed to do it because I have done psych advocacy and stuff before and I can be articulate and direct.I have done fine in the past with this sort of interview thing.

But this is the first time the Aegis is interviewing me.They have a right wing tilt.So I am gathering up my data statistics and all.

My request is anyone here or in Maryland who can give me a more accurate lowdown on the agenda( the spoken and "unspoken") of this session in Annapolis going on currently about the state deficits,taxes and funding that O'Malley has called , I need it.Especially the reasons or excuses behind the cuts in mental health services in Maryland including removing the cost of living raises to psych workers and staff...Please send it to me. I am putting this request in the Maryland Forum,mental health forum and General discuss too. Thanks y'all.

Hope someone can help you out.

whom recently had dealings with mental health institutions, it seems that alot of the treatment big treatment facilities in this state are privately run ones..The one I am familiar with in Frederick County is a religious based private institution but receives pateints from the publically run Hospitals.
I suspect that because of the large deficit and because of pressures not to raise taxes, that it is felt that mental health services in this state can be adequately provided for by private/faith based groups! Quite surprising in a very liberal state, really.
I suspect the Republicans in this state are pushing for this, it certainly would be to Frederick counties benefit to have more services and patients sent to this large religiously affiliated group. And Frederick County is a pretty red county with growing influence in Annapolis. I had not heard about this, but if you can dig up the names of any reps who are backing this plan, I might know a thing or two about them.