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(AP) - The Minnesota House is on the record with
overwhelming support for a proposed children's psychiatric hospital
in Woodbury, but Senate approval is iffy.

      The House voted 125-8 on Wednesday, with lawmakers grieving the
loss the children to suicide for those who must go out of state for
mental health treatment.

      The House bill lifts a state restriction on the construction of
hospitals so that Prairie St. John's can build the 66-bed facility.

      Rep. Marsha Swails, DFL-Woodbury, says she
authored the bill because of an extreme shortage of beds for
children in crisis in the metro area.

      Prairie originally proposed a 144-bed hospital that would
provide psychiatric and substance abuse services to children and
adults, but the state Health Department determined it wasn't in the
public interest.

      It's not clear if the Senate will take up the psychiatric
hospital proposal before the current session ends.
      
      

Gallery

Proposed Woodbury psychiatric hospital suffers setback

Controversy over proposed psychiatric hospital

Public invited to comment on proposed psychiatric hospital

Politics and Government News

The Minnesota House is on the record with
overwhelming support for a proposed children's psychiatric hospital
in Woodbury, but Senate approval is iffy.

House approves new psych hospital for Woodbury

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