Reps. Longjohn, Rogers Withdraw Request for Kalamazoo Behavioral Health Hospital Extension

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Nov. 13, 2026 — State Reps. Dr. Matt Longjohn and Julie M. Rogers today are rescinding their previous request that the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) support additional time for Kalamazoo Behavioral Health Hospital (KBHH) to demonstrate compliance with federal requirements.

On Nov. 10, Longjohn and Rogers sent a letter to LARA expressing concern about the potential loss of psychiatric beds in Kalamazoo County and requesting additional information about the deficiencies identified at KBHH and the steps required to address them. The lawmakers asked that the hospital be given a defined opportunity to demonstrate sustained compliance if federal requirements allowed and patient safety could be assured.

Today, Nov. 13, LARA provided additional information regarding the federal certification process and directed the lawmakers to investigate findings involving KBHH. These findings raised serious concerns about patient safety and quality of care, including incidents involving patient falls resulting in injury, improper use of restraints, admissions of patients whose needs the hospital could not adequately meet, concerns regarding documentation, and more.

“Inpatient psychiatric capacity remains a serious concern in Kalamazoo County and across Michigan. We need more behavioral health services and more psychiatric beds, not fewer,” Longjohn said. “But patient safety must come first. Patients and their families deserve confidence that they will receive appropriate, high-quality care.”

Longjohn and Rogers noted that their original request was driven by the significant shortage of inpatient behavioral health services across Michigan. According to state data, more than 150 behavioral health patients waited in Michigan emergency departments each day in 2025 because an inpatient psychiatric bed was unavailable.

“At the time of our original letter, we asked for additional information so we could better understand the circumstances surrounding this action. Based on the additional information we have now received, we are rescinding our request that the timeline be extended for KBHH,” Rogers said. “Our concern about Michigan’s shortage of psychiatric beds has not changed; however, patient safety and quality of care must be paramount.”

The lawmakers said they will continue advocating for safe, accessible behavioral health services and adequate inpatient psychiatric capacity for residents of Kalamazoo County and communities across Michigan.

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