The LePage administration's plan to use $5 million dollars in funds designated for community mental health services to pay for a new psychiatric facility in Bangor is facing a challenge. Court Master Dan Wathen, who oversees a state consent decree to protect people with mental illness, says using those funds violates the decree.
"These were specially earmarked for core mental health services in the community for people who are ineligible for MaineCare," Wathen says.
The new facility would be designed to help patient stransition out f the Riverview Psychiatric Center.
A spokeswoman for the LePage administration says Wathen's recommendation will be taken under advisement as the project moves forward. The step-down psychiatric facility is currently under construction.