UAPD, representing the Physicians, Dentists, and Podiatrists at Lanterman Developmental Center (LDC) is opposed to the closure. Our members that have worked at Lanterman for years feel that this action is wrong on many levels.

First the basic reason given for the proposed closure is the States extremely bad financial situation. The closing of Lanterman will cost the State many millions of dollars as has been our experience with the closing of the Agnews DC facility. The fact that the State will not save money in the closing of LDC has been shown in a recent study. The study shows that the total cost savings that would be seen by this closure will all be spent by the Community/Regional Centers in their caring for the displaced residents.

Secondly many of the remaining Residents of Lanterman have severe disabilities and are not able to live in the community centers. The community centers cannot handle these types of individuals hence their lives will have to be disrupted and moved to another State facility that can take care of them.

Finally we believe that the standard of care that has been delivered at the Lanterman Medical facilities on a day to day basis, as well as emergency situations cannot be duplicated in the community centers.

UAPD believes that the State’s purely financial motive is misguided and not in the best interest of the Residents of the LDC or the State of California as a whole.

UAPD in concert with the patient advocacy groups, family organizations, and labor unions, is committed to working to maintain the best care possible for the unique residents of LDC and all of the other developmental centers in the State.