An estimated 7.5 million people in California experience a mental health disorder in any given year, but only one-third of adults who experience mental illness are getting treatment. The caregivers at hospitals know the obstacles people with behavioral health conditions face and the challenges in getting them the treatment they need. While hospitals embrace the essential role they play in addressing this crisis, more needs to be done. Solutions like payment reform, resource allocation, more outpatient and community-based services, a bolstered behavioral health workforce, and a statewide set of standardized core services will help Californians with behavioral health conditions access the care they deserve.
About Behavioral Health
CMS Issues FY 2022 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its proposed rule updating the inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2022. Comments on the proposed rule are due by 2 p.m. (PT) on June 7.
Mental Health Law Manual
AHA Poster Series Designed to Combat Behavioral Health Stigma
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has launched a People Matter, Words Matter downloadable poster series to help combat behavioral health stigma in health care settings. The poster series is designed to encourage providers to adopt respectful, patient-centered language. The first poster encourages the use of people-first language, which primarily acknowledges the person rather than the illness or disability. The […]
Turning the Tide on Mental Illness & Substance Use Disorders
California’s county-by-county system of behavioral health care needs reform to include a standardized set of core services. The attached issue brief outlines steps to achieving a behavioral health care system that puts patients first.
California’s Behavioral Health Crisis
Millions of Californians aren’t getting the care they need for mental health or substance use disorders.
It’s Time for California to Turn the Tide on Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
CHA has developed the attached key messaging document to share the principles that guide our strategy related to behavioral health.
New Study Analyzes Behavioral Health Care Utilization During COVID-19 Pandemic
An analysis of insurance claims from the same periods in 2019 and 2020 found that mental health and substance use disorder inpatient admissions dropped through April 2020 — similar to decreases seen in physical health care services. However, subsequent behavioral health inpatient admissions increased through August 2020 at a much higher rate than medical services, with admission rates exceeding 2019 levels in […]
Surgeon General Releases Call to Action on National Suicide Prevention Strategy
Many Americans are indicating increased mental health concerns resulting from economic hardship and social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On Jan. 19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the Surgeon General — in collaboration with the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention — released The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, a report that outlines the steps for reducing suicide rates and helping improve resilience. Its goal is to broaden perceptions of suicide, who is affected, and the many factors that can affect suicide risk.
CMS Updates Substance Use Disorder Data Book
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated its Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Data Book for Congress, as required by the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment Act. The data book uses 2018 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System data.
NAMI California Releases Two State of Community Reports
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California has released its 2020 State of Community Reports for both families and diverse communities. NAMI California engaged families from across the state, compiling both qualitative and quantitative data highlighting the most important issues facing Californians.