FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canteen flier
Montpelier, Vermont, February 8, 2010 — On December 4, the Vermont State Hospital canteen was shut after decades in operation. Mental health service users, advocates and hospital workers united to protest its closing. The Senate Appropriations Committee took testimony and voted unanimously to amend the budget adjustment bill (H.534) to restore the canteen. The Senate amendment gives the VSH director until March 15 to submit a cost neutral plan to reopen the canteen by July 1, 2010.
On Tuesday morning the House is scheduled to vote on H.534. According to the House Calendar, Rep. Martha Heath, Chair of House Appropriations, will offer an amendment that includes striking the Senate language about the State Hospital canteen from the bill.
“We can always hide behind these challenging economic times as a reason not to do something. There are some things we can’t afford not to do and this is one of them. And the Senate proposal is cost neutral to the General Fund,” said Senator Vincent Illuzzi, after learning of the amendment to strike the Senate language. Former canteen manager Curtis Sinclair commented: “It’s incredibly cruel to punish the patients because the administration was so irresponsible.”
Sinclair sent records to Senators showing the canteen was self sustaining — even turning a modest profit until the hospital administration insisted on changes that made it operate at a loss. In internal correspondence VSH director Terry Rowe acknowledged the canteen’s importance to patients and staff, and admitted: “The fact is that we could raise prices, cut back on staff and not eliminate the service.”
Canteen supporters are rallying to preserve the Senate language, and delivering the attached flier to all House members.
Contact:
Ed Paquin, Executive Director
Disability Rights Vermont
ed@disabilityrightsvt.org
Ken Libertoff
Vermont Association for Mental Health
VAMH1@aol.com
Weighing in: