NewYork-Presbyterian to Pay $500K, Enact Behavioral Health Reforms After Investigation

The hospital system must implement emergency department changes and improve patient safety protocols following a state probe.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph revealing the internal structures of a hospital bed, with glowing lines tracing the frame, mattress, and medical equipment, conceptually illustrating the fragility of mental health care systems.An X-ray view of a hospital bed exposes the fragile systems in place to care for patients with complex mental health needs.Chicago Today

New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian has been ordered to pay $500,000 and make sweeping reforms to its behavioral health services after a yearslong investigation by the New York State Attorney General's office found the system repeatedly failed to properly evaluate and stabilize patients experiencing mental health emergencies.

Why it matters

The investigation uncovered systemic issues in NewYork-Presbyterian's emergency department protocols and psychiatric bed capacity that put vulnerable patients at risk. The reforms aim to strengthen oversight, improve safety, and ensure the hospital system is meeting the growing demand for behavioral health care.

The details

The Attorney General's investigation found NewYork-Presbyterian failed to properly evaluate and stabilize patients in the emergency department, diverted ambulances away from bringing behavioral health patients, and allowed high-need patients to leave without proper discharge or transfer protocols. Despite directives from regulators, the system also did not bring all of its licensed inpatient psychiatric beds back online after the pandemic, leaving over 100 beds out of operation.

  • The investigation into NewYork-Presbyterian's behavioral health practices spanned several years.
  • As of May 2023, the system had over 100 psychiatric beds out of operation across its facilities.

The players

NewYork-Presbyterian

A major hospital system in New York City that has been ordered to pay a $500,000 settlement and implement sweeping reforms to its behavioral health services following an investigation by the New York State Attorney General's office.

New York State Attorney General's Office

The state agency that conducted a yearslong investigation into NewYork-Presbyterian's treatment of patients experiencing behavioral health emergencies, finding a 'repeated pattern of failures' that put vulnerable patients at risk.

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What they’re saying

“Providing safe, high-quality care for patients with complex behavioral health needs is a priority. Since 2022 we have continued to strengthen policies and workflows, expand mental health capacity with inpatient beds and outpatient services, and improve safety — improvements that the Attorney General's findings acknowledge. We are proud to have one of the largest behavioral health footprints of any multi-campus hospital in New York and remain committed to continuous improvement for our patients and the communities we serve.”

— NewYork-Presbyterian Spokesperson

What’s next

NewYork-Presbyterian will face a $10,000 penalty per violation for any future violations of the settlement terms.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical need for hospitals to prioritize and invest in robust behavioral health services, especially in emergency departments. The reforms ordered for NewYork-Presbyterian aim to address systemic failures that put vulnerable patients at risk and ensure the hospital system is meeting the growing demand for mental health care.