Congresswoman Matsui Statement on the Dismissal of the Lawsuit Brought on Behalf of Patients Dumped by Nevada Hospital

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 13, 2014

CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Statement on the Dismissal of the Lawsuit Brought on Behalf of Patients Dumped by Nevada Hospital

CA - Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) issued the following statement after a federal judge dismissed a civil class-action lawsuit brought against Nevada on behalf of James Flavy Coy Brown and other patients who were bused from the Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Nevada:

"Today's court decision once again shines the spotlight on the practice of improperly discharging individuals without a treatment plan, doctor, family member or friend awaiting them. While the vast majority of hospitals across the country handle psychiatric patients with the care and sensitivity they need and deserve, hospitals that engage in atrocious examples of patient dumping must be held accountable. That is why I have introduced the Protect Patients Act, legislation that would create another tool to ensure the safety of patients and deter this activity. Congress must move quickly to pass this legislation.

"The issues facing mental health do not start and end with patient dumping. The federal government must step up and invest in the mental health safety net, which has faced tremendous stress across the country. A lack of mental health treatment centers, and a lack of available resources, all too often leads to situations like we have seen in Nevada. To help provide the mental health infrastructure our nation so clearly needs, I have also introduced the Excellence in Mental Health Act, legislation that would strengthen America's community mental health centers. When passed, this bipartisan bill will bolster funding and services for mental health care and ensure all Americans have access to the treatment they need, when they need it."

###