Storchheim: My impression is that you do not have a full grasp of the situation. Those who have a severe and persistent mental illness whose symptoms are so severe that they require hospitalization are not able to work as their symptoms often render them incapable of functioning in this way. It is not that they do not want to work. As they cannot work they do not have health insurance provided by an employer and cannot afford to either purchase their own or pay the cost of medical treatment. To provide them the medical care they need is not to coddle them. It is humane. If you want to view this from a more selfish vantage point: "why must the poor be considered," consider it an investment - if they receive treatment, alleviation of symptoms, they may just be able to work again and be able to contribute to society financially and otherwise. Left untreated they will never move beyond the ranks of the poor.

" Another major issue besides society frowning upon those that need these services is the discriminatory actions of insurance companies, including medicare and medicaid, in regard to what they will pay for these HEALTH care services." toto

It's not yet illegal to pay for your own services EXCLUSIVE of insurance. Then the insurance companies can't restrict you.

And please - just don't even start with ThePoor. Why in the world must ThePoor be considered, coddled, and paid for before any plan is formulated? I wasn't put on earth solely to take care of ThePoor!

Toto, you are right. It is easier to obtain a health insurance policy if you have high blood pressure, smoke, diabetic, etc. If you've had a episode of anything that can be labeled as mental health, they will find ways to deny you. It's sad.

hedgy_one.. it's called "a wink and a nod". People act like they're against something while in the backrooms they push to have it done. It's done to deflect blame and deny guilt.

The State of North Carolina is run in the background by individuals like you. You donate to politicians and put them in office, and in exchange, they do your bidding and get kickbacks under the table.

I'll grant that you may insulated from the inner workings of the process, and you may be naive of how politicians and business work together to scratch each others back.

But there's no way on Earth that that hospital would have ever been closed if some very rich, powerful and politically connected people had not pushed to have it happen so that the area would be suitable for extensive development.

The PUBLIC plans may have not started before the closing started, but the earlier PRIVATE plans are the ones that started the closing process.

That's how things work in this world. Enjoy your plausible deniability

"As a member of the board of Friends of Dorothea Dix Park I will tell you that the plans for turning the Dix land into a park did not begin until AFTER the STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA began the closing of the hospital facilities on the property."

Which means you started about 30 years ago correct? Don't know how long you have been on your committee, but there have been threats going way back to close Dorothea Dix down. I know someone that use to work there "back in the day" and it was a monthly threat that they were going to be closing it down.

I agree, the only reason there is a lack of space now is because the state dropped the ball many, many years ago and let the hospital get in the shape that it is in now. It irks me that all of a sudden Rex and the like and come up with the money to try to do something about this when we already HAD a solution which the state just let slip off into the abyss and the patients Dix helped along with it.

"The only reason there's a severe shortage of space is because the land and facilities in Raleigh that Dorothea Dix worked so hard for over a hundred years ago was stolen by a bunch of coveting individuals who put profit and a playground ahead of the needs of these sick and helpless individuals."

As a member of the board of Friends of Dorothea Dix Park I will tell you that the plans for turning the Dix land into a park did not begin until AFTER the STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA began the closing of the hospital facilities on the property.We were vocal and supportive of keeping the Dorothea Dix Hospital operating for the mentally ill. Don't blame the people advocating for a park on the property for the actions that precluded the closing of the much needed hospital! I think it's a shame that the Capital City of North Carolina does not have a proper mental health facility for those needing it!

The only reason there's a severe shortage of space is because the land and facilities in Raleigh that Dorothea Dix worked so hard for over a hundred years ago was stolen by a bunch of coveting individuals who put profit and a playground ahead of the needs of these sick and helpless individuals.

There was a lot of beautifully wonderful, healing space for them, and a lot of room for growth. But eyes full of dollar signs, and hearts full of greed, took that all away.

Way overdue. There is a severe shortage of facilities for those that need short or long term mental health assistance. If you have ever needed it or have a loved one or a friend/neighbor that needed assistance you know what I am talking about. Another major issue besides society frowning upon those that need these services is the discriminatory actions of insurance companies, including medicare and medicaid, in regard to what they will pay for these HEALTH care services.

Get the Government out of this. Anyone that wants to open a health care facility should be able to do it without requiring an armed group of people to give them permission.

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