Latest effort to reform Michigan's mental-health system finds critics
SOUTHFIELD—Whatever their politics, whatever their role — parent or provider, lobbyist or lawmaker — on this they agree: Michigan’s complex mental health system needs fixing, fast.
But two legislative proposals meant to transform the system are facing pushback from families and mental-health advocates.
“It’s upside-down,” said Fred Cummins, 79, whose late daughter, Paige — a talented pianist, solid student and hard worker as a teen — spent more than 30 years with schizophrenia, fighting voices and seeing messages in places like the designs of tile floors.
He and other critics say they are once again fighting efforts that would ultimately privatize at least parts of the state’s $3.6 billion mental-health system and shift local decision-making powers to distant, for-profit insurers.
Read more: https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/latest-effort-reform-michigans-mental-health-system-finds-critics