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CFAR, the Coalition for Fresh Air Rights, is an
exciting new legislative initiative. Co-sponsored by
the Disability Law Center and M-Power, the CFAR
effort seeks to address the issue of the denial of
fresh air and outdoors access for persons under the
care of DMH (Department of Mental Health) inpatient
treatment facilities. House Bill #2871, sponsored by
Rep. Frank Smizik and supported by 13 other
legislators, would amend the existing “Five
Fundamental Rights” for DMH inpatients to include a
sixth fundamental right – the right to daily access
to fresh air and the outdoors.
House Bill #1905 (Chief Sponsor: Rep. Frank
Smizik) and
Senate Bill #1120 (Chief Sponsor: Sen. Patricia
Jehlen) are supported by 18 other legislators. The
bills seek to amend the existing “Five Fundamental
Rights” for DMH inpatients to include a sixth one –
the right to daily access to fresh air and the
outdoors. This is, after all, mandated by law for
prison inmates.
Many hospitals throughout the state have restricted
access to fresh air and the outdoors for their
psychiatric patients, and some have stopped letting
patients out altogether. Hospitals cite escape risk,
cost and potential liability. Considering that the
13 hospitals which don’t have access to fresh air
made almost $450 million in profit in FY06, we think
there should be some money available to provide safe
access to the life-giving healing power of nature.
The bill does recognize that some truly are a danger
to themselves and/or others, and has a clause
allowing for denial on a short-term, individual
basis.
Many hospital administrators and managed care
companies say that “if people are well enough to go
outside, they are well enough to go home.” It is not
that simple. We submit that with access to fresh
air, people will be ready to go home faster, and the
transition back won’t be as abrupt -
in other words, it’s
cost-effective.
Many studies have been published that prove
conclusively that fresh air is good for the body and
soul, decreasing depression, stifiling
aggressiveness, and ultimately leading to better
therapeutic outcomes. It’s a common-sense step
towards improving the essential dignity so many
consumers deserve.
If
you’d like to be on CFAR’s mailing list to receive
occasional updates, please send an email to
seichner@dlc-ma.org. Your email address will not
be shared with any other organization.
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