The DSR Network Words Matter: Reflecting on Rob Reiner and his Legacy
Dec 18, 2025
Norm Ornstein, a renowned political scholar and commentator, joins the discussion, reflecting on the tragic legacy of Rob Reiner and his family. They explore the urgent need for reform in mental health policies, highlighting the underlying stigma and systemic failures that plague the system. Ornstein advocates for better police training in crisis situations and reveals successful treatment models like Miami's court-based program. The conversation also touches on Reiner's impactful artistic and social advocacy, emphasizing the importance of compassion in public policy.
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Change HIPAA And Train Police For Crises
- Strike a better balance in HIPAA so families can get critical information about adults with serious brain disease.
- Train police in crisis intervention and create diversion programs that offer treatment instead of prosecution.
Replicate Miami's Treatment-First Court Model
- Replicate Miami-Dade's court-led model that diverts people with mental illness into treatment and housing instead of jails.
- Show savings from reduced arrests to persuade local officials to invest in programs and beds.
Deinstitutionalization’s Unfinished Promise
- Deinstitutionalization closed asylums without building sufficient community mental health infrastructure.
- Federal disinvestment and state inaction left jails and streets as default care settings for people with brain disease.