Even an old blind republican can stumble onto a good idea.

[safeinOhio]

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/31/rebuilding-lives-reduces-strains-ers/?special-report

Rebuilding lives reduces strains on ERs
“The old way wasn’t working,” added Maienschein, a Republican and fiscal conservative. “In an era of declining government resources, it is more important than ever to be able to show the long-term results actually save money.”


Maienschein’s “new way” is Project 25, a program in its second year that targets the city’s most expensive frequent users of 911 for permanent housing and ongoing medical care, all at a fraction of the cost of leaving them on the street. City officials estimate that less than 1 percent of the city population — 1,136 frequent users — will account for more than 17 percent of San Diego’s ambulance and paramedic calls in a year. That’s more than $20 million.

The program’s institutional core would make liberals happy: federally funded housing vouchers, a Medi-Cal health plan, complete with mental health services, are among the assistance offered to clients found by homeless outreach workers.

With his preliminary data for Project 25 projecting first-year savings of $5.3 million, Maienschein could end up pleasing conservatives and stumping liberal critics, who found him an inexperienced choice for local homeless czar.

[Skittles]

1. if he's making sense

he needs to leave the repuke party

[safeinOhio]

2. I'm sure the tea baggers will toss him out.

[cbayer]

3. Good for him.

Even if he is being motivated by the bottom line, he is doing the right thing.