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Visiting Lawmakers See Few Rosewood Residents; Say They Need More Information
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
September 27, 2007

OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND--When a group of eight state legislators visited Rosewood Center Tuesday, they saw very few residents -- and no reporters.

John M. Colmers, secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said he banned reporters from the tour out of concern for the residents' privacy and routine.

The lawmakers toured the state-run facility to see for themselves why inspectors continue to report that conditions are jeopardizing the health and safety of the 168 people with developmental disabilities that are housed there. They were also checking on the performance of the institution's new administrator, who has promised to make improvements.

After the 45-minute tour, however, members of the delegation said they needed more information.

Senate Majority Leader Edward J. Kasemeyer told the Baltimore Sun he saw just one Rosewood resident during the visit.

"The tour was abbreviated because of time, and I was disappointed because we were told the residents were doing their daily activities. I didn't get a sense of it," Kasemeyer said.

Delegate Mary-Dulany James, chair of the House Appropriations Committee subcommittee on health and human services, said she only saw three or four residents.

James said her subcommittee would probably come back for a longer tour.

Earlier this month, health officials reported that they found the facility unsanitary -- including cockroaches and rat feces in food preparation areas and sewage pipes leaking on medical equipment -- some residents not receiving enough nutrition, and staff failing to protect residents from violence by other residents.

For years, disability advocates have pushed the state to close Rosewood and move its residents into the community. After new admissions were halted for the third time this year, many said problems there seem to be getting worse.

Related:
"Lawmakers See Rosewood's Flaws, Demand Changes" (Capital News Service)

http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/07/red/0927c.htm
Related:
Rosewood Center (Inclusion Daily Express Archives)

http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/institutions/md/rosewood.htm

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