Capitol News

Michigan State Senator Michael Webber has raised concerns about the state’s inpatient psychiatric care system, citing recent findings from the Michigan Office of the Auditor General (OAG). In an op-ed published in The Detroit News, Webber criticized the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for its handling of patient rights and safety in state-run psychiatric facilities.

Webber stated that families and patients have been reporting issues such as physical abuse, poor living conditions, insufficient food, short staffing, and lack of communication from facility staff for nearly two years. He said he requested a review by the OAG after hearing these accounts.

The OAG released its independent investigation into the Office of Recipient Rights (ORR), a division within MDHHS responsible for protecting public mental health service recipients. The report found several shortcomings in how recipient rights complaints are managed and investigated.

According to Webber, "The audit shines much-needed light on why recipient rights complaints are going unanswered and how MDHHS has failed to properly investigate claims of abuse, neglect or even death in a timely manner."

State law requires ORR to begin investigations into suspected rights violations quickly, especially in cases involving alleged abuse, neglect, serious injury, or death. ORR guidelines define “immediately” as within 24 hours of receiving a complaint. However, the OAG found that over 30% of sampled complaints were not investigated immediately. Nearly 40% of investigations either had late status reports or lacked enough information to confirm if they were timely.

Webber highlighted further delays: "Alarmingly, the OAG found that the ORR did not complete its investigations and interventions in a timely manner for almost 20% of sampled complaints." The Mental Health Code requires investigations to be finished within 90 days; yet nearly 30% took between 98 days and almost 14 months.

Another issue noted was malfunctioning video surveillance at psychiatric hospitals. The OAG reported that cameras often were not working or absent altogether—impacting more than 40% of reviewed investigations.

"When the state accepts responsibility for those in psychiatric care, it accepts a sacred trust: to defend their dignity, to protect their rights, and to act swiftly when those rights are threatened or violated," Webber wrote.

He called for increased oversight and accountability at state psychiatric facilities. To address these issues, Webber said he has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening patient rights and improving oversight. He also demanded legislative hearings on the matter.

Webber directed his comments toward MDHHS leadership: "Oversight is not optional. Accountability is not a suggestion. It is a charge owed to every patient and every family who places their trust in your care."

Webber represents Michigan’s 9th district and serves as minority vice chair on the Senate Committee on Health Policy.