A planned $3 million federal investment for Insight Hospital & Medical Center Coldwater remains tied up in the U.S. Senate, delaying behavioral health renovations at the Coldwater, Mich.-based hospital, WTVB reported Aug. 1.
The funding, requested by Congressman Tim Walberg, was intended to support infrastructure improvements and expand the hospital’s local care capabilities. Because the funding has not yet been approved, the hospital temporarily suspended its inpatient behavioral health services until planning, funding, construction, regulatory requirements and other necessary approvals for the project are complete. The hospital will continue providing behavioral healthcare through its emergency department and outpatient behavioral health program.
If funded, the project would renovate the psychiatric unit by adding 16 private, ligature-resistant patient rooms and one high-acuity secure hold space for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, according to the report.
Until the funding is released, patients who need emergency psychiatric placement are being transferred to other regional facilities, increasing operational and financial pressure on the Branch County Probate Court and local emergency care providers.
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