Senator urges DOJ to investigate youth treatment centers after probe uncovers 'rampant abuse'

The Department of Justice should investigate four of the nation’s biggest operators of youth residential treatment facilities for civil rights violations and fraud, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., argued Wednesday in letters to Attorney General Merrick Garland.

In two letters, obtained by NBC News, Wyden stated that his recent Senate investigation into the corporations — Universal Health Services, Acadia Healthcare, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health and Vivant Behavioral Healthcare — turned up evidence of “rampant abuse, neglect and substandard care.” He alleged that many facilities “fail to provide the treatment they purport to” and instead provide “worthless services” that don’t meet federal standards.