Lauren O’Brien’s career path changed when she fell off a horse. She suffered orthopedic injuries in a riding accident three years ago. O’Brien, who had plans of becoming a physician, wanted to donate her orthopedic equipment to someone else after her recovery. Yet when she tried to give away the braces and crutches, she found…
After being vacant for almost 10 months, the job of state disability services ombudsman has been filled. Corinna Magelund, who was an official in the administration of the previous governor, Sonny Perdue, has been appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to take over the ombudsman position. Magelund most recently served at the Department of Community Affairs,…
Georgia’s plan to help institutionalized people with disabilities receive services has been stalled, consumer advocates say. The man in charge of that disabilities plan has left the position, and no replacement has yet been named. William Janes won praise from advocacy groups while serving as Georgia’s “Olmstead Coordinator’’ for about 16 months, until his departure…
Georgia is on track in delivering promised changes for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, a state official said Friday. The state promised to revitalize community services as part of a landmark 2010 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over problems in Georgia’s mental health system. Pamela Schuble, the settlement coordinator with the…
The job of state disability services ombudsman has been open for eight months now, and consumer advocates fear that the position will not be filled. A Savannah leader of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, John Richards, recently wrote Gov. Nathan Deal a letter urging him to appoint an ombudsman soon. Consumer advocacy groups, Richards…
The health care budget news for many people in Georgia took a turn for the better Thursday. State employees and teachers, however, face a 20 percent increase in their health care premiums under a fiscal 2012 budget passed by the House Appropriations Committee. That hike in premiums will help fill a deficit in the State…
The job of state disability services ombudsman remains unfilled six months after becoming vacant. The Georgia ombudsman fields complaints and promotes the rights of people with mental illness and those with developmental disabilities or addictions. The previous ombudsman, Jewel Norman, produced a report last year that cited problems in Georgia’s mental health system. The continuing…
Public health spending, Medicaid eligibility, and the planned closing of a Rome hospital were major topics as two health agencies gave budget presentations Thursday to state legislators. David Cook, the new commissioner of the Department of Community Health, told the joint House-Senate Appropriations panel that Medicaid needs a new eligibility system prior to the expansion…
The sweeping revamp of Georgia mental health system will get its first big test in Rome. State officials said Thursday that the state-run psychiatric hospital in that city will close June 30. The shutdown of Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital will reflect a cost-savings push by state government. It also follows Georgia’s agreement in October with…
Gov. Sonny Perdue said Tuesday that with its recent mental health agreement with the U.S. Justice Department, Georgia is ”not crossing the finish line.’’ Instead, “we are beginning a journey’’ toward better services for people with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse problems, he said. Perdue admitted the state made mistakes in addressing problems…