LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Michael Webber on Tuesday sent a letter to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel and Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital Director Mary Clare Solky requesting patient weight change data and nutritional guidelines used by the facility and previously at the Hawthorn Center.
“I continue to hear from concerned parents and advocate groups that children are not being given enough food and losing weight under the state’s care,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills. “Unfortunately, it continues to be more difficult than it should be to acquire acceptable data and answers to address this serious situation.”
On Feb. 27, Webber questioned three MDHHS deputy directors over growing concerns for patient care at the state’s only psychiatric hospital for minors as part of a Senate subcommittee meeting focused on department appropriations.
“Frankly, I believe parents know their kids better than the state and I found the dismissive explanation that obese children are merely losing weight and getting healthier out of touch with parents’ genuine concerns about nutrition and food service,” Webber said.
“The troubling testimony we heard that day and the lack of follow through to provide the Legislature with more information further illustrates the real need for future public conversations with MDHHS over the growing list of serious concerns for young people in the state’s care at Walter Reuther.”
Residents who would like to share their experiences or concerns over care received at state-run psychiatric hospitals may contact Disability Rights Michigan, the federally mandated protection and advocacy system for Michigan, toll-free at 1-800-288-5923 or visit drmich.org.
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