Governor announces end to 34-year-old AMHI Consent Decree [Video]

TALIA CLARKE JOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO WITH REACTION TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.. GOVERNOR JANET MILLS ANNOUNCED THAT THE MAINE SUPERIOR COURT HAS DISMISSED THE AUGUSTA MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE CONSENT DECREE, WHICH HAD BEEN A LONG-STANDING LEGAL OVERSIGHT OF MAINE’S COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM. THE 10 PATIENTS DIED FROM EXTREME HEAT AT THE INSTITUTE IN 19- 89. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT LED TO THE DECREE.. LEGALLY REQUIRING THE STATE TO FIX PROBLEMS IN MAINE’S MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM. THE DECISION TO LIFT THIS DECREE WAS MADE BY FORMER MAINE SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE, DANIEL WATHEN.. WHO FOUND THE STATE ACHIEVED SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WHEN IT CAME TO AN INCREASED QUALITY OF CARE. I TALKED TO MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS AT NAMI MAINE AND SPURWINK WHO SAY ALTHOUGH THEY AGREE WITH THIS DECISION.. THEY SAY THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE. <SOT ERIC MEYER / PRESIDENT & CEO OF SPURWINK> 3:37 …