About Behavioral Health
Many Californians can’t get the behavioral health care they need due to a shortage of resources. In fact, 92% of hospitals that provide psychiatric inpatient care report they are unable to admit new patients because discharging current patients to step-down care is so difficult. This congestion means patients are in more restrictive settings than they need, which leads to emergency department overcrowding. To address California’s behavioral health crisis, strategies must mirror those in primary care — where the goal is to prevent illness and provide the right care in the right setting.
HCAI Seeks Hospital Feedback on CalRHT Grant Program
What’s happening: The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) is asking hospitals and other stakeholders to complete a brief survey on the 2026 California Rural Health Transformation (CalRHT) Program grant funding opportunities.
CHA Joins Dozens of Hospitals in Opposing Reallocation of Prop 35 Funding
What’s happening: CHA joined a group of hospital organizations to submit a letter to Gov. Newsom expressing concern over the Department of Health Care Services’ reallocation of funding designated for Behavioral Health Facilities Throughput under Proposition 35. CHA also issued a news release on Wednesday.
Hospitals Call for Newsom Administration to Invest in Critical Behavioral Health Services
SACRAMENTO (Oct. 21, 2026) — The California Hospital Association (CHA) has joined with dozens of hospitals in asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to make good on his commitment to behavioral health care by addressing a critical shortage of treatment capacity.
Psych Ratio Advocacy Materials Available for Members’ Use
What’s happening: CHA has developed advocacy materials that members can use when talking about the staffing ratios for inpatient psychiatric hospitals.
Psychiatric Hospital Staffing Ratios Closing Beds Across CA, CHA News Release Warns
What’s happening: On Tuesday, CHA issued a news release describing how new staffing ratios for acute care psychiatric hospitals are forcing bed closures and driving youth and adults in mental health crisis into overcrowded emergency departments.
New Staffing Ratios Force Bed Closures and Drive Youth and Adults in Mental Health Crisis into Overcrowded Emergency Departments
SACRAMENTO (June 9, 2026) — Despite hospitals having hired more than 1,000 nurses to comply with new state staffing ratios at acute care psychiatric hospitals, an unworkable June 1 deadline has already resulted in fewer mental health services for Californians.
Federal Funding Will Bolster Medi-Cal Reimbursement for Inpatient Psychiatric Care
What’s happening: On Dec. 16, California was approved for the large BH-CONNECT behavioral health demonstration project, which is estimated to bring $5 billion of new federal Medicaid dollars for California over the next five years.