Pact proposed in mental health lawsuit against state

By Rosemarie Bernardo

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 21, 2012

~~<p>A proposed settlement agreement has been reached between the state and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center on a class-action lawsuit by individuals who were denied mental health services because of state policy changes.</p>
<p>The lawsuit was filed two years ago on behalf of about 250 residents who were denied eligibility for services after the Department of Health's Adult Mental Health Division limited eligibility to individuals deemed to have more serious conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Individuals who suffered from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and most forms of depression were no longer eligible under the policy that took effect on July 1, 2009.</p>
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A proposed settlement agreement has been reached between the state and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center on a class-action lawsuit by individuals who were denied mental health services because of state policy changes.

The lawsuit was filed two years ago on behalf of about 250 residents who were denied eligibility for services after the Department of Health's Adult Mental Health Division limited eligibility to individuals deemed to have more serious conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Individuals who suffered from conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and most forms of depression were no longer eligible under the policy that took effect on July 1, 2009. Login for more...