Easley Talks About Controversial Mental Health Reform
Gov. Mike Easley speaks out about how the state's mental health system has been struggling and about controversy surrounding it.
Posted — Updated"I get it. I read it. I throw it away," he said. "Most documents are not public records. Most written material I receive, I read and discard. I take it in. I got it and I move on."
The system has been struggling with problems and claims of abuse, however, and the reforms have been slow to bring change.
Some observers charge the governor destroyed a public document when he threw away Hooker Odom's note.
Easley said she was focused on making the law work and that he only signed the measure because it had overwhelming support among state lawmakers.
Odom left the Easley administration last year and hasn't talked publicly about the deteriorating system.
Last week, Easley outlined three areas of immediate reform for which he said he will push in the General Assembly's short session later in the spring. Those changes include more power to him and DHHS to manage the sweeping changes mandated in 2001.
He concedes recent media reports may help him get the changes he wants – changes state lawmakers did not pass last session.
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