Psychiatric Hospitals Turn Away Patients Who Need Urgent Care. The Facilities Face Few Consequences.
3 minute readPublished: Monday, September 22, 2025 at 9:00 am
Psychiatric Hospitals Face Scrutiny Over Emergency Care Practices
A recent investigation by ProPublica reveals a concerning pattern of violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) within the psychiatric hospital system. The law, enacted in 1986, mandates that hospitals provide emergency medical care to all patients, regardless of their insurance status. Despite this, numerous psychiatric hospitals across the country have been cited for failing to properly screen, stabilize, and treat patients experiencing mental health crises.
The investigation highlights the case of a Colorado hospital, West Springs, which repeatedly violated EMTALA. In May 2023, the hospital discharged a patient who had attempted suicide shortly after his arrival. Federal regulators found that West Springs failed to adequately assess and stabilize the patient before his release, a violation of EMTALA. This was not an isolated incident; the hospital had previously been cited for similar violations.
The consequences of these failures can be severe. The investigation details a case in Tennessee where a patient was discharged from a psychiatric facility and subsequently committed a murder-suicide. Despite the clear violations of EMTALA, the hospital faced no financial penalties.
The investigation also reveals a broader trend of lax enforcement. While the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have the authority to impose penalties, such as terminating Medicare funding, these actions are rare. The investigation found that over 90 psychiatric hospitals across the country have violated EMTALA in the past 15 years, with limited consequences.
The lack of enforcement is particularly concerning given the ongoing mental health crisis in the United States, with suicide rates near record highs. Some lawmakers are expressing concern that budget cuts may further impair oversight.
BNN's Perspective: This investigation underscores the critical need for stricter oversight and enforcement of EMTALA within the psychiatric healthcare system. The current lack of accountability for hospitals that fail to provide adequate emergency care to vulnerable patients is unacceptable. Stronger measures are needed to ensure that individuals experiencing mental health crises receive the timely and appropriate care they deserve.
Keywords: EMTALA, psychiatric hospitals, mental health, suicide, emergency care, CMS, HHS, violations, enforcement, patient care, West Springs, Lakeside Behavioral, emergency room, patient dumping, mental illness, healthcare, regulations, crisis, Trump administration, budget cuts, Colorado, Tennessee.