Cenla lawmakers propose bill to replace lost behavioral health services - KALB News

PINEVILLE, La. (KALB) - After several non-profit behavioral health facilities in Pineville announced they are shutting down, local lawmakers are working to replace those services in the area.

About a week ago, KALB reported that Compass Health Network will be closing all four of its locations in the Central Louisiana area on June 30th.

State representative for District 27, Mike Johnson, announced House Bill 118 that asks the Office Of Behavioral Health of The Louisiana Department of Health to quote, "take all measures necessary to ensure adequate access to substance use disorder treatment in Central Louisiana."

All the facilities are in Pineville and include Phase Two House for Women, Adolescent Outpatient, Red River Treatment Center and Gateway Adolescent Treatment Center.

There are also facilities set to close in Calcasieu Parish.

“That's not the way it's supposed to work. We should have been made aware, the public should have been made aware, long before because the most important thing is to serve those people who have those needs and have those problems that they need counseling and treat them,” said Rep. Johnson. “I prepared the joint resolution between the house and the senate which includes all of our local delegation and will be heard next week and basically to say to the health and hospitals how important those facilities are and when they will be available to our people.”

Rep. Johnson said the Department of Health will have more information on replacing those services within the next couple of days. Johnson said they are working to make sure there isn't a big lapse in services.

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