The fight to protect Taunton State Hospital is strictly about ensuring all regions of Massachusetts have equal access to mental health care (“Pandering on Taunton,” Oct. 2). In its editorial, the Boston Herald wrongly attacks workers, while suggesting southeastern Massachusetts readers don’t deserve the same care as those from central Massachusetts or Greater Boston. The “right choice” is to defend mental health parity for all citizens.
The Herald also ignores the millions of tax dollars wasted on providing mental health care in correctional facilities and emergency rooms, because we lack the appropriate mental health resources to care for all who need help. A critical problem exists in our mental health system, and we need a leader who commits to fixing it.
— Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, Taunton
The writer represents the First Plymouth & Bristol state Senate District.