Did Judge Heath  fall through the cracks?

10:56 AM Thursday, June 11, 2009

I was saddened to hear about the recent death of Judge James Heath. I became even more saddened when I read in the June 4 edition of The Western Star that following his arrest he made a comment to police that he would be dead in the morning.

I thought it was protocol for law enforcement officers to have persons screened by a mental health professional when they express suicidal thoughts. Typically, persons are transported to the local emergency room to be assessed for suicide risk. I can’t imagine why Judge Heath, given his particular circumstance and condition, wasn’t screened while in police custody, after making such a statement. I wonder if his tragic death could have been avoided.

Mark Adams

Morrow

Long-term care budget  must be a priority

According to Miami University researchers, unless we change the way our long-term care system is funded, Medicaid could consume half of Ohio’s budget by 2020.

In Ohio’s budget bill, legislators proposed changes to this system that will improve quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities and save money by working toward a Unified Long-term Care Budget.

This means Ohioans will have more choice and control over where they receive long-term care, including cost-effective home and community-based options. It also means Medicaid can serve more Ohioans at a lower cost.

Ohio’s current long-term care system is too expensive to maintain. It allots nearly 75 percent of Medicaid dollars to costly institutional care. Most Ohioans want long-term care in their home, and home care costs one-third the cost of institutional care.

A ULTCB would help ensure Ohioans receive the right services, in the right settings, at the right price. I urge our senators to support this crucial tool to save money and improve long-term care options for vulnerable Ohioans.

Suzanne Burke

CEO, Council on Aging  of Southwestern Ohio