The mental health institutes in Mount Pleasant and Clarinda are being closed. State Representative for House District 84, Dave Heaton, learned during a meeting with the Governor’s Office Monday that it was Branstad’s intent to phase out the facilities in order to save $7 million.

Heaton says the facilities will not admit new patients, and will close once current patients have been treated. He adds the Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute’s 80 employees were notified Wednesday that the facility would be closing.

Heaton explains due to the way the institutes are being closed, the legislature will not be able to debate or have any input on the matter. Alternatives for people in Southeast Iowa include the Mental Health Institutes in Independence and Davenport as well as the University of Iowa Hospital.