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August 28, 2007

Benefit cuts won't hurt mentally ill

A drastic cut in employee benefits at the state's largest in-home caregiver, Richardson Hollow Mental Health Services, will not leave its mentally ill clients without care, according to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

DHHS officials say they have been assured by Richardson Hollow that its mentally ill clients will not be abandoned, despite the organization telling 45 employees last Friday they must give up their benefits or quit, according to the Sun Journal in Lewiston.

The Lewiston-based nonprofit is slashing health insurance, vacation time, mileage reimbursement and other benefits for its caregivers to grapple with its severe financial problems, the paper reports.

DHHS has asked for an audit of the organization, and reports that it has been tracking Richardson Hollow's finances for months. DHHS Commissioner Brenda Harvey said if the organization cannot maintain home visits for its mentally ill patients, then the state will move them to other organizations that can.

Richardson Hollow Founder and President Linda Hertell told the paper cuts in MaineCare reimbursements have strained the organization.

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