Survivors of former doctor Larry Nassar’s abuse at Michigan State University can get money for therapy again.
The university allocated $10 million for the so-called Healing Assistance Fund. It was shut down last summer. Police are still investigating whether some people made false claims and got reimbursed fraudulently.
Because of mounting public pressure and a change in the makeup of the university’s Board of Trustees, MSU decided in January to set up a new fund. But in the meantime, it’s established this intermediate fund to support counseling and mental health services for survivors and their parents now.
MSU is hiring the same company to administer the fund as the original. But an MSU spokeswoman notes the team staffing the fund has changed. There is a new requirement that therapists or other medical providers sign an affidavit to make sure they’re licensed and that the treatment was Nassar-related.
“Setting up an intermediate fund means survivors can get the help they need now while we work to establish a permanent solution,” MSU Board Chair Dianne Byrum said in a written statement.
“We feel we learned a great deal” since the fraud allegations, she added.
“There is no set timeframe or dollar amount because the Board is actively working to establish a new fund. The original parameters and fund administrator were used for this interim period to allow for a quicker reimbursement for Survivors," Byrum said.
People interested in making a claim can find more information on MSU’s website or call 800-540-2624.
