U.S. Justice Dept. sues Mississippi over mentally ill
The Department of Justice says Mississippi is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act by failing to provide community-based mental health services for mentally ill adults.
"The state’s failure to provide services in community settings forces adults with mental illness to access services and care in segregated state hospitals, including the Mississippi State Hospital, East Mississippi State Hospital, North Mississippi State Hospital and South Mississippi State Hospital," the Justice Department complaint says.
Gov. Phil Bryant calls the lawsuit without merits.
"This appears to be yet another attempt by the federal government to dictate policy to the states through the courts," Bryant said. "The current system of mental health in Mississippi has existed for many years, yet the DOJ has now decided to take issue with it."
Read more: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2016/08/11/us-justice-dept-sues-mississippi-over-mentally-ill/88576742/