{"id":760979,"date":"2026-04-29T09:05:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T09:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/760979\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T09:05:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T09:05:18","slug":"impending-layoffs-at-laurel-ridge-treatment-center-spark-concerns-about-mental-health-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/760979\/","title":{"rendered":"Impending layoffs at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center spark concerns about mental health care"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO<\/strong> \u2013 News about impending layoffs at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center has sparked concerns about the future of mental health care in San Antonio.<\/p>\n

The company\u2019s management informed staff in a letter on Monday that 648 employees would be laid off, effective June 26<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The facility, located near Loop 1604 and Redland Road, offers inpatient and outpatient treatment for both mental health and drug and alcohol problems.<\/p>\n

Laurel Ridge made news just a few weeks ago when the state announced it would no longer allow the facility to treat patients using Medicare or Medicaid. The state said that it was due to Laurel Ridge failing to meet patient health and safety requirements.<\/p>\n

Last year, KSAT 12 News reported on a state investigation<\/a> that found certain conditions and practices at Laurel Ridge had been putting patients in danger.<\/p>\n

One woman whose then-teenage daughter was treated for depression at the facility five years ago spoke to KSAT 12 News anonymously Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n

She said even back then, she recognized major problems there, mostly related to understaffing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a two-week period, and it was an absolute nightmare. And I would never bring my child here again,\u201d she said. \u201cFor it to have more people lose their jobs, I mean, how would they stay open?\u201d<\/p>\n

KSAT 12 News has been requesting interviews with Laurel Ridge\u2019s CEO, Ashley Sacriste, since last November, yet she has declined every invitation.<\/p>\n

Another email sent to her on Tuesday, asking specific questions about the layoffs and the center\u2019s future, went unanswered.<\/p>\n

It is unclear how the facility will continue operating with a smaller staff.<\/p>\n

However, the inability of Medicare and Medicaid patients to receive treatment is already having a ripple effect throughout the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, the Medicare\/Medicaid patients, those unfunded patients, they will be coming our way for all of our hospitals, all of our participating hospitals,\u201d said Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison, president and CEO of The Center for Health Care Services.<\/p>\n

She said due to that issue, there will be 330 fewer inpatient beds and 120 fewer outpatient appointments available for people who need treatment for mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis just exacerbates the problem,\u201d she said. \u201cWe already knew we had an issue. We had a shortage, and now it\u2019s even exaggerated by this loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

LeBlanc Jamison said she is part of a collaborative with others who treat mental health patients.<\/p>\n

Recently, she said Sacriste met with them and informed them of the impending layoffs, letting them know the employees would be available for other jobs.<\/p>\n

According to the letter Laurel Ridge sent to its staff members, they are not eligible for rehire within that company.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s note:<\/b> This story has been updated to specify the reduced number of inpatient beds and outpatient appointments available.<\/p>\n

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