Hold For-Profit Psychiatric Hospitals Accountable for Quality of Care
Hold For-Profit Psychiatric Hospitals Accountable for Quality of Care
The Issue
This is a plea directly influenced by the heart-wrenching story of 15-year-old Jázmin Pellegrini, whose tragic death highlighted the glaring issues in California's mental health care system. Jázmin's untimely demise occurred due to the incompetent care at some of the state's 21 for-profit psychiatric hospitals that accommodate a vast majority of children in crisis. Despite these institutions continuously breaching serious safety regulations, emergency departments persistently employ 5150 holds to force patients there.
Numerous patients have reported that the inconsistent treatment received within these facilities exacerbated their conditions or increased their instability. It's a chilling testament to the failing system captured succinctly in Dr. Christopher Bellonci's words, "These inpatient units failed her." Dr. Bellonci, a psychiatrist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, voiced this opinion after careful scrutiny of the hospital records of Jázmin Pellegrini.
The reform efforts led by Governor Newsom, increasing the range of people who can be forced into 5150 holds, ignore the pressing need to address the subpar conditions within for-profit psychiatric units. A system that permits consistent care neglect and safety breeches can't be left unchecked.
Therefore, we are petitioning to Governor Newsom to address this pressing issue urgently, implementing appropriate checks and regulations to safeguard the quality of care in the state’s for-profit psychiatric hospitals. It's high time these institutions were held accountable for the level of care they provide. Please sign this petition to bring about critical improvements to our mental health care system.
References for more information:
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The Issue
This is a plea directly influenced by the heart-wrenching story of 15-year-old Jázmin Pellegrini, whose tragic death highlighted the glaring issues in California's mental health care system. Jázmin's untimely demise occurred due to the incompetent care at some of the state's 21 for-profit psychiatric hospitals that accommodate a vast majority of children in crisis. Despite these institutions continuously breaching serious safety regulations, emergency departments persistently employ 5150 holds to force patients there.
Numerous patients have reported that the inconsistent treatment received within these facilities exacerbated their conditions or increased their instability. It's a chilling testament to the failing system captured succinctly in Dr. Christopher Bellonci's words, "These inpatient units failed her." Dr. Bellonci, a psychiatrist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, voiced this opinion after careful scrutiny of the hospital records of Jázmin Pellegrini.
The reform efforts led by Governor Newsom, increasing the range of people who can be forced into 5150 holds, ignore the pressing need to address the subpar conditions within for-profit psychiatric units. A system that permits consistent care neglect and safety breeches can't be left unchecked.
Therefore, we are petitioning to Governor Newsom to address this pressing issue urgently, implementing appropriate checks and regulations to safeguard the quality of care in the state’s for-profit psychiatric hospitals. It's high time these institutions were held accountable for the level of care they provide. Please sign this petition to bring about critical improvements to our mental health care system.
References for more information:
17
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Petition created on February 26, 2025