St. Elizabeths Hospital and District of Columbia Are Improving Their Mental Health Services

St. Elizabeths Hospital is operated by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), but efforts have been made to transfer its administration to the District of Columbia. Its accreditation was taken away in 1975. Currently, it is the subject of a lawsuit to provide alternative facilities for patients who do not need the level of care provided at the hospital. Mental health services in the District are also provided by three mental health centers operated by the District's Mental Health Administration and by several private facilities.