About Behavioral Health
California has a behavioral health care crisis, as more Californians need care, and there are not enough providers to deliver that care. As a last resort, those facing a mental health crisis turn to hospital emergency departments. The number of people going to an emergency department for mental health needs jumped 68% from 2010 to 2020; for children 12 to 17 that number climbed 31%. Creating a behavioral health care system means making access easier and more equitable, while ensuring patients receive care in the most appropriate setting.
2023 Behavioral Health Care Symposium Will Be Held in Sacramento for First Time
What’s happening: For the first time, CHA’s 2023 Behavioral Health Care Symposium (Dec. 12-13) will be held in Sacramento and have a heavy legislative focus.
What else to know: The keynote speaker will be Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, (D-Stockton), chair of the Senate Health Committee and a leader on behavioral health in the Legislature.
Continuing Education Credits Available in Multiple Areas for Symposium Attendees
What’s happening: CHA’s 2023 Behavioral Health Care Symposium (Dec. 12-13) in Sacramento will offer continuing education (CE) credits in multiple areas for qualifying participants.
What else to know: To qualify to receive CE credits, registrants must complete a post-event survey, attest to participation, and provide a professional license number.
2023 Legislative Wrap-Up
Access to Mental Health Services Could Increase for Medicare Advantage Enrollees
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposes policy changes for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in contract year (CY) 2025.
What else to know: Comments on the proposed rule, which addresses MA policies such as prior authorization, outpatient behavioral health and supplemental benefits, are due Jan. 5.
Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman will open the Symposium as the Keynote
Why you should attend: Hear from Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, a leader on behavioral health in the Legislature, and get an update on public policies, politics, and financial issues shaping behavioral health care in California.
When: Dec. 12-13 at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento.
Big Steps Toward Better Behavioral Health Care
In March, voters will cast ballots on Proposition 1, a package made up of CHA-supported legislation passed this year that will transform the state’s mental health system to better meet the growing needs of Californians.
Counties May Delay Expansion of Involuntary Holds
A new law that could impact hospital emergency departments and inpatient psychiatric capacity can be delayed until 2026 if county boards of supervisors across California adopt a resolution within the next few months.
It’s Time to Register for the Behavioral Health Care Symposium
What do a judge, a mayor, and several attorneys (not to mention state and county behavioral health representatives) have in common? They’re all part of the agenda at CHA’s Behavioral Health Care Symposium on Dec. 12-13.
Growing Discharge Delays Leading to Hospital Overcrowding, Other Problems
California hospital patients are experiencing frequent, lengthy, and costly delays in care transitions. That’s the finding of a new CHA member survey investigating the extent and impact of discharge delays in three key hospital settings: emergency departments (EDs), general acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. While such challenges are long-standing, the volume of the […]
Drug Enforcement Administration Extends Telemedicine Rules Through End of 2024
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has extended its COVID-19 pandemic rules for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine through Dec. 31, 2024. The regulation is effective Nov. 11.