Huge disability care firm pulls out of NL towns over bureaucracy

Philadelphia, the second largest disability care firm in the Netherlands, is withdrawing from 150 of the 200 municipalities where they are currently guiding the mentally disabled. This is due to the reforms in the long term care. From January 1st the guidance of the disabled will be the municipality's responsibility. The Second Chamber adopted the long term care yesterday. Philadelphia, who always did business with thirty or so care agencies, say they can not negotiate with 200 different municipalities. According to CEO Greet Prince, this is impossible and makes for a lot of bureaucracy. The organization decided it will only compete for new contracts for the supervision of mentally disabled people who live independently or at home in it's 50 most important municipalities. This means that a total of 450 to 600 mentally handicapped people will have to be transferred to another caregiver. Employees of Philadelphia are currently helping 3 thousand mentally disabled people who live at home in 200 municipalities, including adults and children. Among other things they help these people to work and learn social skills. Additionally Philadelphia provides residential facilities for 5 thousand mentally disabled peopled. They receive 24 hour care. These long term care people will now become the government's responsibility.