Three long-term solutions have been proposed by various players in the controversy over overcrowding at West Virginia's state-run psychiatric hospitals.

All three would cost significant amounts of state dollars at a time when West Virginia is trying to avoid the fiscal shortfalls hurting other states.

The union representing workers at Mildred-Mitchell Bateman Hospital in Huntington sees the problem largely in terms of staff shortages. The union wants higher pay to attract more workers.

West Virginia Advocates, a nonprofit group working on behalf of residents with disabilities, wants more money spent on community-based care services.

Finally, some lawmakers want to look at a solution suggested in a state agency report, involving the construction of a third psychiatric hospital.

Department of Health and Human Resources spokesman John Law said the agency is closely studying the problem and hopes to have proposals for a long-term fix soon.