Witnesses Tell House Subcommittee Michigan Lacks Psychiatric Beds; CEOs, Psychiatrists Urge CON flexibility, EHR funding and workforce support

Hospital executives and practicing psychiatrists told the Michigan House Subcommittee on Public Health and Food Security that the state lacks enough psychiatric inpatient beds and associated services, leaving patients — including children — waiting in emergency departments for days.

Representatives of Universal Health Services and two Michigan psychiatrists testified that short-term policy changes to the certificate of need process, investment in electronic health records for freestanding psychiatric hospitals, and targeted workforce incentives could expand capacity more quickly than building facilities alone.

The testimony offered both patient vignettes and systemwide data. Steve Vernon, chief executive officer of Cedar Creek Hospital in Saint John's, and Jamie White, chief executive officer of Havenwick Hospital in Auburn Hills, said Universal Health Services (UHS) now operates five freestanding behavioral health facilities in Michigan and is planning or building additional beds. They said Southwick Behavioral Health in Byron Center opened about a week before the hearing as a 96-bed facility; Cedar Creek plans to add 16 beds and expects to break ground soon on a 48-bed Lansing facility (24 pediatric, 24 adult); and Havenwick is planning roughly 52 additional beds over a multiyear period. White said…