Topeka (WIBW) - Three Topeka-area State Representatives are vowing to fight the closure of the Kansas Neurological Institute.

Joe Patton and Lana Gordon, both Topeka Republicans, and Rocky Fund, R-Hoyt, toured the facility Thursday and met with families of patients.

A state commission recently voted to recommend closing KNI and moving its 150 patients to community-based services or a state hospital in Parsons. The commission said it would save resources and ultimately lead to better care.

The lawmakers say they support fiscal responsibility, but don't believe closing KNI will save money or be better for patients and their families.

“We all are strong advocates of spending each and every tax dollar wisely and know as legislators, we will make some very difficult budget decisions in the coming session,” Rep. Patton said. “But from everything I’ve seen and read KNI is a very efficient operation that enables its residents to enjoy high-quality lives. With the investment it will take to replace the services and facilities provided by KNI, I’m not convinced it will save the state money, either immediately or in the long run.”

More than 150 Kansans live at the KNI facilities in Topeka. According to SRS, nearly 90% of them have profound intellectual disabilities, two-thirds can’t walk, and 82% don’t speak.

“While I respect the effort made by the commission to find ways to save the state money, I don’t believe they had accurate information about what it will truly cost the state to continue to care for the KNI residents at the level they now receive,” Gordon said. “When you start looking at transferring them to other facilities, whether it is to a community-based home or the Parsons State Hospital, you’ve got to consider the costs of the medical equipment they require, the layout of the buildings, the highly-trained staff and access to medical care. In many cases, they will be starting from scratch. I’m concerned this is an instance of penny-wise but pound foolish.”

Rep. Fund said the tour confirmed his concerns about closing KNI.

“After the numbers I’ve seen and visiting with those who know the exact level of care needed, I am still not convinced that closing KNI is going to reduce state spending nor that these Kansans are going to get the same level of care they are receiving now. I need more evidence that this move will be good for all those involved,” Fund said.

The lawmakers said they will work with the Governor and SRS to learn what the true cost of closing KNI will be and to find other ways to address the state’s budget shortfall.

The Governor expects to receive the commission's report next month.. and will decide then whether or not to use their recommendation in his 2011 budget proposal.