Letter: Nate Boulton will protect health of all Iowans

Sen. Nate Boulton values a government that is based on kindness. His recent proposal, Senate File 295, will affect the lives of Iowans who are the most at risk. We read in the news about teenagers who are prone to violent behavior with virtually no facility in which to reside that will ensure their safety and the safety of all Iowans.

To that end, Sen. Boulton has laid out specific actions that will be required by Senate File 295. Two of our state mental health institutions were closed by the Branstad-Reynolds administration unilaterally, with no plans for replacement. With the Mount Pleasant and Clarinda facilities closed, the remaining outpatient institutions at Cherokee and Independence clearly cannot serve patients in all 99 counties. Boulton's bill comes from the knowledge that these closures can cause suffering among our residents. Because of the closings, Boulton and our public employees sued the Branstad-Reynolds administration.

Senate File 295 calls for these four facilities to be operated and funded by the state on a year-round basis, each serving 25 counties.

As governor of Iowa, Boulton will do the compassionate thing and protect the health of every Iowan.

Helane Golden

Cedar Rapids