Governor proposes closing new psychiatric hospital

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Eugene-area residents are uneasy following Gov. Kate Brown’s proposal to permanently close a new, $130 million psychiatric hospital there.

The Register-Guard reports (http://bit.ly/2h2MEDZ ) that Brown on Thursday suggested closing the 18-month-old Junction City hospital to help fix a large health care budget hole. The proposal calls for permanently closing the facility in mid-2018, saving the state an estimated $34.5 million a year.

The hospital’s 422 jobs have provided an economic boost to the region since it opened in mid-2015 after years of funding negotiations.

Danna Coleman of Springfield has worked at the hospital as a mental health technician for eight months. She says she can find another job but is worried about what will happen to her clients.

The closure would require approval by state legislators.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com