In letters to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Mr. Wyden cited findings from a two-year Senate investigation that revealed “rampant abuse, neglect and substandard care” at facilities run by King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services, Franklin, Tenn.-based Acadia Healthcare, Villanova, Pa.-based Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health and Prescott Valley, Ariz.-based Vivant Behavioral Healthcare.
Mr. Wyden accused the companies of failing to provide adequate treatment, questioning the legality of placing children in residential facilities when they could receive care at home, as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. He also requested a probe into potential fraud related to Medicaid regulations.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, Acadia Health said, “We voluntarily and extensively worked with the Committee over the past two years but strongly disagree with the assertions made in the report about our Residential Treatment Centers, which are highly regulated and are required to meet policies and standards set by federal, state and local governments. Our facilities are licensed, accredited and in good standing and are regularly inspected — unannounced — to evaluate our compliance and ensure we provide high quality, effective care for our patients.”
In a statement to NBC News, UHS called the reports characterizations of its facilities “a false narrative” based on isolated incidents and defended the “hard work of the dedicated staff at these facilities whose only mission is to improve the lives of the residents they care for.”
UHS did not respond to Becker’s request for comment. The Justice Department and Vivant did not respond to NBC News’ requests for comment.
The senator’s calls come amid increasing scrutiny and bipartisan concern over the treatment of children in the treatment facilities. A recent Senate Finance Committee report indicated that profit motives often drive poor treatment outcomes.