State budget office asks Legislature to authorize $2 million for Rawson-Neal

CARSON CITY – The state Budget Office has asked the Legislature to authorize the transfer of more than $2 million to enhance in-patient services at the Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas.

The transfers from two separate funds would also allow the Department of Health and Human Services to reduce the backlog of mental health patients in Las Vegas-area emergency rooms.

The transfer requests are expected to be considered by the Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee at a special meeting, although no date for the meeting has been set yet.

Gov. Brian Sandoval last week asked the Legislature to consider the transfer to speed up the release of already budgeted funds for additional improvements at the hospital.

The move came after the Joint Commission, an independent organization that accredits hospitals, issued a preliminary denial of accreditation for Rawson-Neal, which has been in the national spotlight for allegations of patient dumping.

Rawson-Neal first came under scrutiny in February for discharging James F. Brown, 48, to Sacramento, Calif., with no support or family waiting for him.

Contact reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3900.