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COPYRIGHT 2004 Las Vegas Review-Journal
BYLINE: REVIEW-JOURNAL
State funds provided to WestCare to operate its makeshift mental health facility ran out Wednesday, throwing Las Vegas Valley emergency rooms into another possible crisis.
Calling it one of the most serious crises facing the state, Gov. Kenny Guinn on Friday endorsed a request for nearly $2 million in emergency funds to open another temporary 28-bed facility to treat the mentally ill in Las Vegas.
The expenditure requires approval by the Interim Finance Committee, which meets in September. Guinn urged a special meeting of the committee to consider the emergency request.
Despite the concern that the allocation would reduce available emergency funding during a serious fire season, Guinn said the mental health facility is a necessity.
"This is a firestorm in mental health," Guinn said. "It exposes the state to an extreme liability."
Because of a shortage of beds for the mentally ill, patients are transported to emergency rooms at Southern Nevada hospitals. The patients often stay several days before...
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