Pontiac Times

LANSING, Mich. - Sen. Michael Webber visited the Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital, where young patients are being temporarily housed during the reconstruction of the Hawthorn Center. This visit comes days after a $13 million legal settlement was announced as part of the fallout from a questionably executed unannounced active shooter drill at the Hawthorn Center, the only state-run psychiatric hospital for minors.

"The settlement represents an acknowledgment by the governor's health and human services department that patients and employees were deeply wronged by the ineffective and poor management of the Hawthorn Center," said Sen. Webber. "While I hope this settlement brings some measure of relief to those who've been harmed, it is also further evidence that wider systemic problems are plaguing our state-run psychiatric hospitals."

During his visit, Sen. Webber was accompanied by state Sen. Santana, who serves as chair of the Senate's Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee and majority vice chair of the Senate Committee on Health Policy. Both senators previously met with families who voiced concerns about care and lack of weekend visitation opportunities after Hawthorn patients were transferred to Reuther.

"I am grateful to Sen. Santana for joining me for the Walter Reuther hospital visit and working alongside me in hearing the concerns and experiences of families and patients in the care of these state facilities," said Sen. Webber. "Advocating for the proper care of young people in the state's care shouldn't be a partisan issue - it's our shared responsibility."

Sen. Webber has been calling for Senate committee reviews into the Hawthorn Center since June, but no hearings have taken place. In January, the Office of Auditor General announced that it would investigate the Office of Recipients Rights (ORR) for its handling of allegations at state-run psychiatric hospitals. This investigation is part of the 2024 audit cycle and was prompted by Sen. Webber's formal request to the department in July after hearing patient and family testimonies during a Protect MI Kids listening session.

"Disability Rights Michigan appreciates Senator Webber's focus on improving patient care at state-run psychiatric hospitals," said Simon Zagata, director of Community and Institutional Rights Advocacy for Disability Rights Michigan. "As always, we advocate for improved access to community-based mental health services as the main solution, so that patients spend as little time in facilities as possible."

In light of the recent scrutiny, residents who have experienced or have concerns about care received at state-run psychiatric hospitals are encouraged to contact Disability Rights Michigan, the federally mandated protection and advocacy system for Michigan.

Sen. Webber's visit to Walter Reuther Hospital highlights the ongoing concerns and challenges facing state-run psychiatric hospitals in Michigan. It serves as a reminder that there is a shared responsibility to ensure the proper care and well-being of vulnerable patients in the state's care.