Letter: State turns its back on disabled in budget cuts

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 | 9 a.m.

Not surprisingly, as in the past, the people hit hardest by the state budget cuts are the mentally ill and developmentally disabled.

Despite statements that the cuts are not as "draconian" as they seem because of reported increases in the 2001 budget, nothing could be further from the truth.

Even a modest increase in funding could actually mean a cut in lieu of the ongoing demand for services as the population of Nevada continues to soar as it has in the past decade and a half.

Nevada is currently among the lowest of the 50 states in expenditures for its mentally ill and mentally retarded citizens, and may well indeed have the dubious distinction of hitting rock bottom with the cuts that are going into effect.

Staffing at state intermediate care facilities is being cut, treatment centers are closing, and some of the disabled persons residing at these facilities (who may or may not be ready) are being moved into the community.

On top of all that, waiting list numbers are already in the hundreds for disabled persons and their families seeking services that they so desperately need.

Nevada must move into the 21st century with a more appropriate tax base to address its obligation to the state's most needy. Cutting services that are already lacking is not the way to go.

MARK KAGAN