After five years of federal oversight because of poor treatment of patients, state hospitals in Atascadero and San Bernardino have been released. But last Friday, federal lawyers sought to extend oversight for the hospitals in Napa and Norwalk, saying they've failed to keep patients safe from harm and even death. There are 6300 mental health patients in state hospitals and prisons, and now the Brown Administrations is downsizing, partly to cut costs. That's not all that's happening in the area of mental health. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is giving up psychiatric care, except for emergencies, and is eliminating the training program that's responsible for many of the professionals now working in the Los Angeles area. We hear from the State, County and others.
Is Mental Health Care on the Decline?
Credits
Guests:
- Kathy Gaither - California Department of Mental Health
- Marvin Southard - Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
- Randall Hagar - California Psychiatric Association