8
The Department of Mental Health’s own publications and strategic plans support DOJ’s
goals for more community-based care.
4
In its own words, the Department of Mental Health “will
continue [its] efforts and look forward to a better tomorrow when . . . partnerships improve and
support holistic service delivery in the community.”
5
The Attorney General also agrees with this
sentiment; he has repeatedly admitted in the press that “community services need to be out-patient
where somebody goes by and makes sure [mentally ill adults are] taking their medication. It’s a
lot cheaper to put [mentally ill adults] in their home and apartment than it is to put them in an
institution.”
6
Outside of this litigation, therefore, the State’s public position is that moving towards
more community-based services is necessary for the betterment of the State.
Yet, within the confines of this litigation, the State has taken a different position. Indeed,
this is a fight over the central claim that Mississippi must provide more community-based mental
health services. The contradiction between the State’s public position and its position in this
litigation makes it difficult for the Court to imagine what a “win” looks like for the State. In broad
terms, the Court assumes that a “win” for the United States is ensuring that Mississippians’ access
on standing is suspect. DOJ first issued a findings letter regarding the State’s over-reliance on institutionalization in
2011. For the next five years, the parties presumably attempted to reach a compromise. DOJ’s position has not changed
since then. After the suit was filed, attorneys for the State participated in costly discovery that included motions
practice, expert reports, and numerous depositions. Only after the close of discovery did attorneys for the State raise
the standing argument. The taxpayers have borne these substantial costs.
4
“The expansion of community-based services is driven by DMH’s Strategic Plan. Since FY10, DMH has utilized a
goal-based strategic plan to transform the public mental health system in Mississippi. The FY19 – FY21 DMH
Strategic Plan includes three goals: To increase access to community-based care and supports through a network of
service providers that are committed to a person-centered and recovery-oriented system of care; To increase access to
community-based care and supports for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities through a network
of service providers that are committed to a person-centered system of care; and To ensure people receive quality
services in safe settings and utilize information/data management to enhance decision making and service delivery.”
Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Progress Update on Mississippi’s Public Mental Health System 3 (Sept.
2018), http://www.dmh.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Progress-Update-on-Mississippis-Public-Mental-
Health-System-9.1.18.pdf.
5
Id. at 19.
6
Arielle Dreher, AG Hood: State Must Fund Mental Health Care, Not Ignore Lawsuit, Jackson Free Press (Jan. 13,
2017), http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2017/jan/13/ag-hood-state-must-fund-mental-health-care-not-ign/.
Case 3:16-cv-00622-CWR-FKB Document 204 Filed 05/13/19 Page 8 of 9