Assemblymen Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) are joining an effort launched by State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) to save the Elmira Psychiatric Center (EPC). Last week, the Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced a comprehensive plan, proposed by the governor’s administration, to reorganize the state psychiatric hospital structure. As a result, the EPC inpatient hospital will be closed, along with eight other hospitals throughout New York, most of which are in upstate communities. Friend and Palmesano are working to support O’Mara’s “Join The Fight!” online petition effort in hopes of rallying support to keep the EPC hospital open and are encouraging the public to join this cause.

“Last week’s announcement, and its significant impact to the services provided by the Elmira Psychiatric Center, is immensely troubling news,” said Friend and Palmesano in a joint statement. “The EPC has shown itself to be the most innovative, high-quality and cost-effective center in New York State, and it is invaluable to the 11-county region it serves. The fact that patients, both adults and children, and their families will now have to travel to Buffalo for vital inpatient services is extremely detrimental. This decision, coupled with the fact that 250 jobs will be moved to other parts of the state or potentially lost, will have significant economic consequences for our region.”

O’Mara, Friend and Palmesano hope that the petition will help urge the governor to reconsider his decision, given the critical impact of the center to the residents of the 11-county rural region. The lawmakers have pledged to work with local leaders to overturn the decision and hope that increased public pressure will provide the boost needed to save the center.

To show your support and sign the petition, go to Senator O’Mara’s website at: http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/join-fight-save-elmira-psychiatric-center. Additional information about the statewide closures and reorganization plan is also available.

The existing services will be consolidated within 15 “regional centers of excellence” OMH plans to open across the state. Under the plan, the psychiatric centers in Elmira and Buffalo, and the Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center will be merged into one regional center known as the Western Lakes Regional Center of Excellence that will be located in Buffalo. The plan calls for no inpatient services to remain at Elmira, but the center will continue as a “community hub” of the Western Lakes center and provide highly specialized community services.