AUGUSTA (AP) – The Maine House and Senate were in disagreement Tuesday on what to name the state’s new psychiatric hospital that will replace the Augusta Mental Health Institute.
Last week, the Senate voted to name the new 92-bed hospital across the Kennebec River from the Capitol the Dorothea Lynde Dix Center to honor the mental health pioneer who was born in Hampden, Maine, in 1802.
But on Tuesday, the House threw its support behind the name that was endorsed by lawmakers last year, Riverview Psychiatric Center.
Rep. Thomas Kane, D-Saco, said the Riverview name was chosen following a thorough, six-month review of more than 70 proposed names, including the Dorothea Dix center.
The measure backed by Kane and supported by the House would keep the Riverview name, but direct that a plaque be placed in the new center honoring Dix, whose efforts led to the construction of the first asylum for the mentally ill.
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