WVON hearing on Dr. Bell results in Senator Hunter’s calling for an official hearing

Farrakhan’s aide: ‘We put you in office…We won’t forget’

 

By Chinta Strausberg

 

After listening to more than two-hours of testimony from angry residents attending a stand-room-only town hall meeting at WVON where they denounced the closing of Dr. Carl C. Bell’s facility, Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-3^rd) Thursday announced she is holding an official hearing on why the State of Illinois closed the South Side Community Mental Health Council (CMHC).

WVON’s talk show host Perri Small told of how after her father died on December 25, 2010 and how she did not want to live after his death. It was WVON’s president/CEO Melody-Spann Cooper who referred her to Dr. Bell who treated her for an entire year. Without his help and professional guidance, Small said she doesn’t know if she would have made it because she had just given up on life.

The hearing took place a day before Dr. Bell has to end his solo service outside of his closed Mental Health Council because the phones are dead. Bell said he could no longer access his patient’s records. “It is a waste of time for me to be there as I do not have the tools to help the probably 34 patient that will show up,” he told this writer. Bell said there may be even more patients of his colleagues that he doesn’t know about.

In the interim, those attending the town hall meeting voiced outraged at the State of Illinois’ treatment of Dr. Bell, an internationally acclaimed black psychiatrist who though his building has been closed by the State of Illinois continues to see patients outside his shuttered practice that he has run for the past 37-years.

Hunter, chairman of the Senate’s Human Services Committee, said the next step is to put together an official hearing on this issue so there will be an official record.

She read a letter from Dr. Bell, the president and CEO of CMHC who was not present, that stated: “the State of Illinois not giving CMHC an FY13 contract was as big a shock to CMHC as it was to our patients and the community.

“I think it was the wrong decision based on many misunderstandings, and I think it could have been handled better.” Bell said for 37-years his team had worked closely with the state and that they had served thousands of patients over the years. “It could have been handled better because when we got the word about no contract, I had about 1,000 patients scheduled up until October 12^th.”

After the state closed his facility, Though he was able to contact 79 patients by phone and the State of Illinois mailed out 400 letters, concerned that his patients who were not notified would need medical care, Bell sat outside of his closed offices in a chair and waited for his patients and they did come as witnessed by this writer.

In his letter, Bell said he saw 419 patients from July 1 to the present and that there are about 99 more patients who have appointments. He said the number of patients he is seeing has decreased from five to six a day to one or two. Bell feels there are about 34 patients yet to be seen. “We did the best we could with no support despite our asking for help to transition patients that were left hanging. We are not done with this yet.”

Bell is asking for a formal investigation into the closing of his facility “and others like us so that Illinois can serve its most vulnerable citizens.”

Senator Trotter said, “This is not over. The fiscal year began on July 1^st. I know Dr. Bell has been given permission to transition his patients to other institutions or at least to other providers, but as we will hear, those providers do not exist.” He asked “where’s the money” arguing if there was no money for Dr. Bell’s patients, then none exist for other providers.

“It’s not over. This state does have the authority. We, the legislature, have the authority to appropriate money. The governor has the authority to spend it,” said Trotter.  He said there is more ways to get money for the State like gaming.

How the closing of Bell’s Council was handled has angered African Americans especially Rev. Andrew Singleton, who was a part of Dr. Bell’s financial team from 1990-1995. Of allegations that Bell mismanaged money, Singleton said there was no money.

He said at one time the Council experienced a “very dry desert time” because they did not received any funds from the State until the governor signed “that fiscal year appropriations bill.” Singleton said, “We would be borrowing big time, negotiating loans” so that the staff’s checks would clear.

Saying he feels bad about the attack on Dr. Bell’s character, Singleton said, “Dr. Bell is one of the most honest people that I have ever met in my life” though he admits Bell “is one of the most eccentric men he has met. “There was no challenging his character and there was no challenging his genuine love and concern for those of us who were less fortunate.

“He could have been downtown but because of the love and concern for the people of his community, he dropped the money to serve the people,” Rev. Singleton said.

He said his twin brothers are both bi-polar and served at the Council. “I am really conscience of the loss of this institution to this community…. You’re talking about sending people somewhere but where? If there is no money to fund them now, there is no money to fund them to where they are being sent,” said Singleton who wants the Council re-opened.

He warned if these patients are not seen they walk up and down the streets as his brothers do from time-to-time and that some of these patients are dangerous.

Also outraged over the closing of the Council was Nation of Islam’s Chief of Staff, Leonard Muhammad, said, “There is no replacement for a man like Carl Bell in Chicago….” He said when others say they’ll get someone else to replace Bell, Muhammad said, “There is nobody else.”

“We live in a world today where when people like Carl Bell who is very open who speaks his mind are punished like Negroes were punished in the 1939’s and sometimes we as black people act like Negroes of the 1930’s because when you see a man like Carl Bell under fire most of us run for the trees or the bushes,” said Muhammad.

Saying he is only going to speak the truth, Muhammad said, “I hate to see a man like Governor Quinn who owes so much to so many but he owes more to us and when he starts to harm the self-interest of our community, he is showing us we have allowed him to get into an area of total disrespect.

“Tell the governor that there are some people concern about his loyalty and how he understands that politics is tit-for-tat, something-for-something. And, also understand that politics decides who gets what, how much and when,” said Muhammad.

‘Now, we put him in office so he can decide who gets what and he decides who gets it when and how much. What we’re saying to him is that Carl Bell and the Community Mental Health Council needs to be opened.”

“Some of the older Democratic voters, like my generation, some of them are dying off. The younger blacks will have a better memory and we will remember Pat Quinn on this issue of the Community Mental Health Council.

“He needs to understand that the day of us not remembering when it’s time for election time, he can forget about support because as long as some of us out here have a mouth and a brain. We’ll bring it back to you when your interest is at stake, we are going to remind you of what you didn’t do for us,” said Muhammad.

Saying Dr. Bell is a “tough guy, but he’s really a softy and he takes his work seriously. So, his feelings are totally hurt, crushed over this as a professional because he takes his work extremely serious,” Muhammad said. While because he is a physician, Muhammad said Dr. Bell can move on “and go make money some place else, but his reputation….

“Where do you go to get your reputation back after something like this? I don’t want us to let him down, because if you let him down, all of the other doctors, black or white, who want to stand up for us, will remember Carl Bell on his cross that he’s on today. We have to take him down off this cross. Don’t be afraid to be angry or upset…” said Muhammad.

“No matter what happens, whenever there is another (state) budget, we shouldn’t let the budget be passed unless” funding for Dr. Bell’s Council is included. “The people can insist that you are in the budget when it’s passed. So, we’ll be back. Either do the right thing today or you will be forced to do it tomorrow,” Muhammad said.

Trotter said Muhammad is correct. “There are appropriations for various groups that are out there. They don’t get everything they want but certainly they get more than their share….” Trotter said, “the governor needs to know that we are outraged about what’s going on and we are not just going to let it happen because he said that is the way it should be…. That is the ammunition that we are taking back.”

An angry Rikki Jones, President of the Cook County Women’s Organization and a Chicago Public School teacher, said, “I am very angry…. One thing I hope we learn from this today is that we just don’t give away our vote. We make people earn our vote… I’m outraged. This man has earned the trust of the people in the community. You just can’t put somebody else in there and expect the same results. Trust takes time to build,” she said.

“You also have to deal with cultures” Jones said are very different. She gave the example of Sweden, which deals with similar issues, reportedly puts more money into social issues like mental health and schools “as opposed to the jails “which is what we do. We put all of our money in jails rather than resolving the problem,” said Jones.

Referring to the closing of the Council, Jones said, “This to me sends the wrong message to our children and to our community. Mental health is an important issue…and to take a man who has done such a good job out of his office and put who ever they’re putting in…is unacceptable…. I am going to start making people accountable,” she said vowing to begin issuing political report cards.

“Black people are the most loyal people to the Democratic Party,” said Jones. Looking out over the audience, she added, “You all need to tell the governor that. We’re the most loyal people. We demand respect.” “It’s about our community, our people. We demand the best. We refuse to let them take the best away from us.”

Valerie Leonard, a consultant and community developer, said Dr. Bell impacts not just the south side but also the West side where she lives. “We need to direct more resources to mental health.” Leonard said the state budget has less than one percent allocated for mental health….

“Mental disorders are responsible about 12 to 15 percent of all of our disabilities. That is more than cancer. That’s more than heart disease; yet they don’t have any problem allocating money for those disease, but when it comes to mental health especially in the black community, we see that the city is pulling back and they say go to the state and the state is pulling back so we’re caught in the middle. One is telling us to go to the other and then there’s nothing left but the prison system,” Leonard said.

“They think that they don’t have to deal with it, but yes, they are dealing with it on Michigan Avenue,” she said. Leonard said the city closed six of its mental health clinics and that about a fifth of those are on the South Side. “We got three mental health centers that are suppose to serve over one million people.” Leonard said if you have insurance you can’t use those centers.

Saying mental health services are not monolithic in that one size fits all, Leonard said it is “very insulting” to replace Dr. Bell “with just anybody.”

Looking at the increased rate of violence, Leonard said “for one year alone, there was an increase of aggravated battery 27 percent over a year in August, but if you look at the last two-weeks, there was an increase of 33 percent. What we’re seeing is an increase in violence yet we’re throwing away resources.” She fears this pattern will continue without people like Dr. Bell.

Saying there is no other mental health facility that can match the quality of care Dr. Bell gave, Leonard said he practiced the kind of medicine “from the cradle to the grave” and that he also served the community. “You just can’t replace that.

“I’m respectfully requesting that we not only give him bridge financing, but we need to get this institution back,” said Leonard.

Trotter said, “Bell is the face that we’re looking at but the institution…also needs to be maintained.” 

Rep. Monique D. Davis (D-27^th) could not attend the meeting but sent a statement saying: “I support that center because it provides a needed service in the African American community not only the African American services but senior citizens services as well.

“The shutting down of resources from the State in the African American community helps to create havoc, the chaos that we witness today. They are shutting down the resources in the Black community. The state shut down my computer literacy program.

“The churches do a lot but they cannot do it all. As taxpayers and people who play the Lottery, we deserve some consideration and funding of these needed programs.

“The State cannot continue to use the excuse of alleged improprieties as the reason for closure. It’s time for the black community to get damn mad.

“If improprieties have occurred that were not criminal in nature, then they should help to straighten them out and give people better guidelines. The State has thousands of people who can help them do the paperwork properly,” said Rep. Davis.

Florence Cox, former Chicago Board of Education president and current president of the WE CAN, Inc. Committee, read a letter addressed to Gov. Pat Quinn in solidarity with Dr. Bell.

“We understand cited budgetary issues. However, with violence being of epidemic proportion in our nation, we find it unconscionable that our elected officials would close a facility that treats persons whose illness may be the root cause of some of the violence being experienced in multiple communities,” Cox read.

“With the decades, long track record of Dr. Carl Bell, I am certain that no one questions his ability or the measure of his work. Dr. Bell is known internationally for his outstanding work in psychiatry. His numerous publications on the issue of violence have been used as guidelines for treatment of violence in settings ranging from the penal system to the general community.

“Additionally, most health care professionals proclaim prevention to be the far less costly segment of medical care. I wonder if Columbine, the latest theater massacre or any similar event would have taken place if Dr. Carl Bell or his services had been available to those who brought such horrendous trauma to their communities and families.

“Members of We Can, Incorporated want to believe that the trust placed in our elected officials through our vote and other support will not leave them feeling betrayed by shortsightedness, negligence or oversight and our community faced with the potential for an escalation in anti-social behavior of those needing but unable to get treatment.

“Members of We Can, Incorporated ask that the facility remain operational under Dr. Bell and continue to be of service to the community. Any measure of loss in human capital is a loss to all. We believe that Dr. Bell’s presence in the community has brought stability to those who otherwise would have been cast adrift,” Cox stated.

Senator Trotter entered the following into the record: “On August 1, 2012, the Community Mental Health Council (CMHC) officially closed its doors. Below are the reasons stated by the Department of Human Services (DHS) for not renewing its contract:

·      Unpaid Loans

Over the past several years, DHS’s Division of Mental Health has advanced millions of dollars ($1.3 million in June 2007 and an additional $1.2 million in June 2009) to CMHC in an effort to ensure the continuance of care for patients and to give the company an opportunity to improve its fiscal situation. This money was in addition to what it was receiving in “regular” state funding. CMHC was made aware that these were loans and the money had to be paid back. Therefore, the Department and the CMHC Board of Directors agreed on a repayment plan, but to date, CMHC has not repaid the State and has not met its contractual obligations 

·      Incorrect Reports and Records

DHS provided more than two years of educational assistance regarding financial and program reporting requirements. In September and October of 2010, the Department staff performed on-site investigative visits to CMHC. DHS found inaccurate accounting records, co-mingling of payee funds with operating funds, inadequate documentation of personnel files as required by DHS, and a net operating capital of -$5.2 million. 

·      Fiscal Mismanagement

Recently CMHC has have not made payroll in many months, abruptly cancelled health insurance for employees and their families, and have been the subject of mounting complaints to the Department of Labor.

For these reasons, DHS states it was unable to renew CMHC’s contract for FY 13. DHS states that Thresholds, Habilitative Services, Inc., and Human Resource Development Institute will support CMHC patients with their mental health needs and the Department is currently in discussions with other providers.

Mike Holmes, associate director for IDHS, read this statement for the record including the timeline that led to the closure. “Over the years, the Department of Human Services (DHS) advanced millions of dollars to Community Mental Health Council (CMHC) in an effort to ensure continuity of care for consumers and to give the company an opportunity to improve its fiscal situation.

“In addition, DHS provided more than two years of technical and educational assistance regarding financial and program reporting requirements.

“To date, CMHC has made little effort to repay the state. CMHC experienced serious fiscal mismanagement and eventual insolvency for many years – they consistently and knowingly outspent their resources, did not make payroll for many months, cancelled health insurance for employees and their families, and were the subject of mounting complaints to both the federal and Illinois Departments of Labor.

“Therefore, DHS was unable to renew CMHC’s contract for fiscal year 2013. DHS’s Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Illinois Department on Aging also cancelled their contracts with CMHC in fiscal year 2012.

“We have a number of area providers in place to support CMHC consumers with their mental health needs and are currently in discussions with others.  DHS has referred hundreds of consumers to new providers and will continue to work diligently to assure that all in need are linked to appropriate services,” said Holmes.

Joyce Washington, President and CEO of the Washington Group, Ltd., called Dr. Bell “a jewel we have in our community” and a physician who has published a great deal of publications. Including two books and co-authors others.

Saying she had a connection with Dr. Bell, Washington said, “He was just somebody you could go to at any time and to refer patients to. I was totally, totally shocked…that it was one of the facilities that they were going to close.

“Certainly, with all the violence and all the things that are happening to our youth here in Chicago…all over the country. Everybody talking about what is happening in Chicago….

“We ought to have somebody like Dr. Bell who can really respond to that escalating news about our community,” said Washington. “Dr. Bell has been covered in over 450 articles on mental health,” Washington said. “He’s been on the Today Show, Nightline, “60-Minutes,” and Frontline, Internet…,” including major Chicago and national newspapers. She said he’s been in numerous “Who’s Who’s.”  Washington asked the state to fund his mental health program because he is needed.

Yvette Moyo-Gillard, from Real Men Cook, said her organization partnered with Dr. Bell’s Council and explained, “When they were shut down the funds for our program were also shut down. We’re in the middle of the program (which sponsors mental health projects) halfway through the year with six-months to go and no money to do it.

“There is a ripple effect that it’s not only about people but about people…employees about psychiatrist whose income are in question…,” said Moyo-Gilliard. 

Others spoke like Dr. Deborah Levi who retired from the Chicago State University and who is currently on the nursing faculty throughout Chicago, said she has known Dr. Bell for 30-years and has worked with the financial records of the Department of Human Services for substance abuse for six-years.

“While I was there for those six-years, I ran across the games that are played. There are some games that are being played…. These people are so politically connected. They get away with so much…it’s unbelievable.” Levi vowed to help Dr. Bell in anyway possible.

Margaret Davis, R.N., M.S.N.N., F.N.P., retired from the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois, said, “Carl Bell is my hero.” She said she became bi-polar, suicidal and homicidal having attacked a man more than six-foot, four-inch man. She said normally she is docile. She called Dr. Bell and “pulled her through” her health crisis.

“There are people who understand cultural psychiatry…” Davis said explaining Dr. Bell symbolizes that and a man who understands African American experience. “Carl understood and had a solution to the problem….” Referring to Dr. Bell’s patients that are being transferred, Davis said they wouldn’t get the same cultural counseling as Dr. Bell.

Useni Eugene Perkins, a concerned citizen, also spoke highly of Dr. Bell he said “is so prominent” and more than a “jewel” some people say. “He’s an icon in our community.” Perkins said of Gov. Quinn, “We need to take him out,” referring to the next election.

While Dorothy Holly Turner, a retired public health employed offered $1,000 to help re-open Dr. Bell’s practice, Senator Trotter explained that Bell’s annual budget was $20 million. “That is what we need to be looking at out of this $370 million appropriated to mental health care across the board,” said Trotter.

Hunter asked for the attendees to submit their testimonies to her at 312.949.1908, Senatorhunter03@sbcglobal.net, or Senator Trotter at 773.933.7715 or senatortrotter@yahoo.com or to this writer at Chintabernie@aol.com who will forward it on to both lawmakers.

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.