GOP lawmakers call on McKee to stop state hospital discharges
PROVIDENCE Two Republican lawmakers whose districts include the state-run Zambarano Hospital have asked Gov. Dan McKee to stop the discharge of patients, and reinstate admissions, while an investigation by Disability Rights Rhode Island of recent money-saving activities at the hospital is underway.
McKee has not yet responded to their pleas.
In their letter, Sen. Jessica de la Cruz and Rep. David Place voiced concern to McKee that you are not being fully informed of the true nature of the situation. It has become apparent that there is an organized effort on the part of [the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals] to discharge acute care patients when there is nowhere else capable of caring for them.
AG Neronha again pushes legislation to release grand jury reports
PROVIDENCE Attorney General Peter F. Neronha is again backing legislation that would allow the release of grand jury reports in cases that do not end in indictments, such as those involving excessive force by police and institutional misconduct.
“There are times when the public needs to be reassured,” Neronha told the House Committee on Judiciary on Wednesday.
He praised the measure as an important step toward transparency in high-profile investigations such as the failure of Curt Schilling’s 38 Studios video game company, a debacle that left Rhode Islanders on the hook for millions of dollars.
Local legislators are also calling for oversight of the state run hospital.
Though this investigation began more than a month ago, it was announced just this week following an open letter written by the former medical director at the Zambarano Unit in Burrillville, Dr. Normand Decelles Jr. It alleges that the state is discharging patients who shouldn’t be discharged to save money.
According to the open letter, hospital administration wanted all patients in the Zambarno unit discharged by this past June, adding that they’d restricted all admissions beginning last February.
The hospital is in Senator Jessica de la Cruz’s district.
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