Deal to free mentally ill from nursing homes

Hundreds of mentally ill people who have been confined to nursing homes will move to apartments under a settlement with New York state.
 
The New York Times reports that the settlement resolves a 2006 case filed in Brooklyn federal court. That case accused the state of violating its own rules for housing mentally ill people. Plaintiffs said conditions were wretched at some homes for the mentally ill.
 
New York rules state that the mentally ill cannot be confined unless they are considered a threat to themselves or others. They should be housed in the least restrictive setting appropriate. 
 
Under the terms of the settlement, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration has agreed to reform the process used to assess whether patients are capable of living in the community.