Mental Health Merger

* Re “Decision on Merger Was Reasoned and Rational,” by Supervisor Kathy I. Long, Oct. 11.

Supervisor Long’s article was a total disappointment to us who have been watching closely since she and Supervisors John Flynn and Susan Lacey voted to merge the Behavioral Health Department with the Public Social Services Administration on April 7.

Yes, it’s true that the merger was given considerable thought and analysis. In fact, a well-known consulting firm, Deloitte & Touche, was hired with taxpayers’ money. However, its report came back against the merger. That report and the chief administrative officer’s recommendation were not presented for discussion on April 7. Instead, the two agencies were merged without a public hearing.

The issue here is where the Behavioral Health Department should be. I strongly believe that mental illness is a brain disease and therefore it should not be separated from the Health Care Agency. However, it is clear that the bottom line of this merger is a political squabble. This is absolutely wrong, especially when those affected are our most powerless and delicate citizens.

MARIA URSU

Moorpark