Mental Health Centers May Delay Closing

The New York State Senate is moving forward a bill that puts a temporary freeze on the closing of the Broome Developmental Center.

The measure passed unanimously this week and is in negotiations in the Assembly.

The state had been planning on closing the center in March of 2016.  The senate bill would keep the center open until at least 2017.

There are also talks underway in Albany about keeping inpatient programs at the Greater Binghamton Health Center operating.

Shortly after the ‘Freeze Unsafe State Closures Act’ was passed, Binghamton City Council took steps, urging Broome County to keep the County Mental Health Clinic open.

Council members said they understood the county’s need to save money given lower sales tax revenues, Medicaid reimbursements and other funding, but that has to be balanced with meeting the needs of the community.

Council voted unanimously to ask the Legislature to rethink the planned closure.