WNC wellness review: Mental-health violations, Senate bill concerns, and changes in abortion law

DOJ says NC’s care of mentally ill violates the Americans with Disabilities Act

After an eight-month investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a letter of findings accusing the State of North Carolina of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by unnecessarily institutionalizing mental health patients instead of providing support in the community. The DOJ’s investigation was prompted by a complaint filed in July 2010 by Disability Rights North Carolina, the state’s protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities.

(From July 31 press release)

Advocates for those with disabilities concerned about U.S. Senate bill

On Wednesday, the Workforce Investment Act will go before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The bill has the attention of advocates for the disabled in North Carolina, because contained in it is language that would allow for people with disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage.

(From North Carolina News Network and WWNC)

Abortion restrictions become law after veto vote

Women will get more information and face new restrictions before having an abortion in North Carolina after the state Senate passed the regulations into law Thursday over Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto.
The Republican-led Legislature completed its veto override when the Senate voted 29-19 to approve the bill requiring women to receive counseling and wait 24 hours before an abortion. The House agreed to the override earlier this week.

(From WRAL TV)

NC works on compensation for sterilization victims

A task force investigating the forced sterilization of about 7,600 people in North Carolina said in a draft report Monday that survivors should get money as compensation but is not yet sure how much.
Figures ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 have been recommended for the 3,000 victims who are still alive but the Eugenics Task Force said it needs more time to consider those and other amounts. Any compensation should be exempt from state taxes, the report said.

(From the Associated Press)

Local Red Cross blood supply remains at seriously low levels

American Red Cross blood supplies remain at seriously low levels even after hundreds of area residents responded to the national appeal for blood donors. Blood products are going out to area hospitals just as quickly as donations are coming in, the Red Cross said today.

In addition, the massive heat wave encompassing much of the country is hurting blood collections at a time when the Red Cross has been working to rebuild its inventories to adequate levels. The triple-digit temperatures have made it extremely difficult to recruit sufficient numbers of donors to go out and give blood.

(From July 31 press release)

Laurels of Summit Ridge receives sixth Caster Award

The Laurels of Summit Ridge recently won its sixth consecutive Caster Award for excellent ratings during its annual state survey. The Laurels has also earned a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

(From the Asheville Citizen-Times)

 

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