500,000 people were locked in state psychiatric hospitals. Their descendants can’t find out why
Descendants of individuals institutionalized in state psychiatric hospitals are encountering significant barriers when attempting to access historical medical records. These records, which could offer crucial insights into family medical histories and genetic predispositions to mental health conditions, are often sealed due to patient privacy laws like HIPAA, which can extend protections for decades after a person's death. While some states are beginning to reform their policies to allow limited access for descendants, the process remains slow and frustrating in many areas, leaving families with unresolved questions about their ancestors' lives and health. AI
