LANSING, Mich. — State Sens. Michael Webber and Rick Outman on Wednesday introduced bills to address growing concerns over patient rights and oversight at state-run psychiatric hospitals.
In an effort to improve oversight, increase transparency and bring peace of mind to families of people being treated under the state’s care, Webber sponsored legislation to add representatives from Disability Rights Michigan, Mental Health Association in Michigan, and Arc Michigan as permanent standing members to the Recipient Rights Advisory Committee within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Webber’s Senate Bill 1048 would also prohibit any MDHHS executive office staff from being appointed to or serving on the advisory committee. The senator said the current director has put individuals from her executive team on the advisory committee, something he said should be prohibited or, at the very least, raise significant red flags.
“Right away, there were concerns regarding these centers’ operations — and, unfortunately, the deeper we look, the worse it gets,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills. “It has become clear that more independent oversight and transparency within the department is needed, and my bill is just the first step in taking that necessary action. These reforms would strengthen the goal of protecting the Office of Recipient Rights — the entity responsible for investigating patient treatment complaints — from pressures that could interfere with the impartial, even-handed and thorough performance of its functions currently outlined in state law.”
SB 1049, introduced by Outman, would require hospitals to give voluntarily hospitalized psychiatric patients written notice of their rights. Hospitals already are required to give involuntarily hospitalized psychiatric patients written notice of their rights. However, the same is not true for patients who sign paperwork agreeing to formal, voluntary admission.
“Seeking psychiatric hospitalization is one of the most serious health decisions a person can make,” said Outman, R-Six Lakes. “State law currently treats voluntary and involuntary patients differently in regard to ensuring they know their rights. My bill simply fixes that issue.”
Webber has previously pushed for legislative hearings and hosted a listening session with former patients and parents about concerns over care and safety at the facilities and questioned MDHHS leadership during Senate-hosted committee hearings that the senator requested. The state Office of the Auditor General has also begun its independent investigation into how the Office of Recipient Rights handles allegations at state-run psychiatric hospitals, also following a request initiated by Webber.
“For nearly a year now, my office has been working to address issues raised by people who had or have family being treated at the Hawthorn Center or Walter Reuther. And for nearly a year, it’s been roadblock after roadblock as we work to try to get answers and find solutions,” Webber said. “From nutritional concerns, lawsuits, patients escaping, questions surrounding care, lack of transparency and issues with violence, it is clear that we can take a number of steps to drastically improve care and operations at the center, and we have a duty to do so.”