COLDWATER, MI — The closure of Insight Hospital & Medical Center Coldwater’s inpatient behavioral health unit is straining Branch County’s mental health system.
Courts and Pines Behavioral Health now sends patients out of county for care, raising concerns about increased costs, delays, and reduced access.
The hospital closed its third-floor psychiatric unit on July 22, removing the county’s only local inpatient mental health treatment option.
Both the Branch County Probate Court, which handles involuntary commitments, and Pines Behavioral Health, which serves voluntary patients, now rely on the same limited pool of out-of-county beds.
Probate Court Impacts
Branch County Probate Judge Kirk Kashian said his court typically receives three to four requests each week for psychiatric evaluation and possible commitment.
Without a local inpatient unit, the court must transport committed patients to hospitals in Marshall, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, or other facilities for evaluation and treatment.
The shift is expected to increase demands on law enforcement, which is responsible for transporting many patients.
“Those transports will take deputies out of the county for longer periods of time,” Kashian said, noting the added strain on staffing and public safety coverage.
Kashian said the court will likely rely more on out-of-county attorneys to represent patients, which may increase legal expenses.
Pines Behavioral Health Challenges
Pines Behavioral Health faces similar pressure for more than 30 individuals who receive inpatient care each month.
Chief Executive Officer Sue Germann said the agency now relies more on hospitals outside the county, including facilities in Kalamazoo, Bronson, Marshall, and Hillsdale.
This shift affects emergency services and patient care:
However, Germann noted these services have limits.
She expressed concern about a potential “human cost” if people in crisis choose not to seek help because there is no local inpatient option.
Uncertain costs, growing Demand
Neither the Probate Court nor Pines Behavioral Health have quantified the full financial impact of the closure, but both expect costs to increase.
At the same time, demand for mental health services remains steady, with fewer qualifying for Medicaid, according to Pines.
About 75% of Pines’ annual $21.9 million expenses are covered by Medicaid.
The Trump administration has proposed cutting $1 trillion in Medicaid funding over the next 10 years.
With no local inpatient beds available, Branch County officials and providers are working to deliver the same level of care with increased time, travel, and resource demands, despite reduced funding.
Insight inpatient behavioral health’s future
Insight cited the need to modernize its aging psychiatric unit, which faces significant infrastructure and safety challenges for patients and staff.
Germann said the temporary closure will last at least 18 to 24 months.
Insight is seeking $2 million in state funding and $4.2 million in federal funds to help pay for renovations.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Branch County mental health care faces new hurdles
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter | USA TODAY Network
