Before closing any additional state hospitals, the Legislature called for a study of resident needs, energy use, buildings, costs, economic impact, employee preferences and options.
Over 5,000 people attended nine town meetings, facilitated by Miriam Karlins, in all local communities where state hospitals were located.
Tom Triplett and Gus Donhowe chaired a group of agency commissioners to develop a set of options.
The state hospital study encompassed all facets of possible closures.