Bobby Jindal

Editorial: Thank Jindal for mental-health bills

Editorial: Thank Jindal for mental-health bills
Daily Advertiser Editorial
June 16, 2008

Gov. Bobby Jindal's package of bills aimed at easing the strain on the state's mental-health service providers has sailed through the Legislature without serious opposition. The bills in the package will serve the state well in dealing with what many consider a crisis in mental health care.

Appropriate treatment for the mentally ill is a national problem. In Louisiana, however, the problem was vastly expanded by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In the New Orleans area alone, Katrina destroyed 500 psychiatric beds. Outpatient services also were devastated. Just at the time when they were needed most, mental-health professionals left the Crescent City.

At the same time, storm victims who fled southeast Louisiana caused the demand for treatment to escalate incredibly in areas where they sought refuge.
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We salute the governor for pushing such needed legislation and the legislators who were able to guide it to passage.

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