Panhandle Health Group governing board considers closing the agency

As the governing board of Panhandle Health Group considers closing the agency, which provides mental health services throughout the Panhandle, consumers are invited to a public meeting at the Platte River Room in the Gering Civic Center today, Thursday, Feb. 15 beginning at 10 a.m.

Many are concerned about the care provided to consumers, but the Panhandle Health Group’s Governing Board Executive Committee wants to assure citizens that services provided to Panhandle residents will remain a priority.

A current agenda is available at the Region 1 Behavioral Health Authority office in Scottsbluff.

“For the past several years, Panhandle Health Group (PHG) and Panhandle Mental Health Center have had financial difficulties. The governing board has tried a number of solutions to help with the continuing shortfall without success,” Kimball County Commissioner Daria Anderson-Faden said. “Whatever the decision on Thursday, the consumers will be our top priority.”