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.
2025 Emergency Services Forum
Join us for the 2025 Emergency Services Forum, returning to beautiful Newport Beach! This conference is dedicated to the uniqueness of hospital ED management and its intersection with emergency services and the community. We’re finalizing an exceptional lineup of speakers and engaging topics. The 2024 Emergency Services Forum sold out – this is an event you and your colleagues don’t want to miss!
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.
What else to know: During this time, BH-CONNECT will use the funds to test new approaches to behavioral health treatment, housing, and workforce development.
Advancing the Fight for Better Behavioral Health Care
Last week, CHA held its Behavioral Health Care Symposium, attended by hundreds of clinical professionals, hospital leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders. This annual gathering highlights the important work hospitals are doing alongside many others to improve behavioral health care across the state. Sessions at the symposium highlighted successful collaborations among hospitals, counties, and health plans.
CHA Symposium Focuses on New Approaches to Behavioral Health Care
What’s happening: More than 250 health care professionals and hospital leaders from across California gathered in Long Beach on Dec. 4-5 for CHA’s annual Behavioral Health Symposium.
What else to know: Attendees discussed innovative ways to connect patients to community-based care and tackle stigma, updates to California’s involuntary treatment and emergency services laws, and more.
DEA, HHS Extend Telehealth Prescribing Flexibilities
What’s happening: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended existing waiver flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine through Dec. 31, 2025.
What else to know: This is the third extension.
CNN Hero of the Year to Speak at 2024 Behavioral Health Care Symposium
What’s happening: CNN’s 2023 Hero of the Year, Kwane Stewart, DVM, is a featured speaker at CHA’s upcoming 2024 Behavioral Health Care Symposium, being held in Long Beach Dec. 4-5.
What else to know: Dr. Stewart, a practicing veterinarian in California, will share his personal story about founding Project Street Vet, which offers free veterinary care, treatment, and support to the pets of individuals experiencing homelessness and/or financial hardship.
Infographic: The Facts About Behavioral Health Care
Issue Brief: Steps to Address Behavioral Health Care Challenges
Solutions must mirror those in primary care, where the goal is to prevent illness and provide the right care in the right setting.
Key Messages: Learn What’s Driving Challenges in Behavioral Health Care
Due to a shortage of behavioral health resources, many Californians struggle to find the treatment they need.
Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Acute Care Hospitals
Opioid abuse is a long-standing problem in California.
The substance use disorder (SUD) crisis might seem insurmountable, but the CA Bridge Program has developed a model of care that saves lives and helps patients with SUDs get back on track. The 24/7 program is built upon three pillars: rapid access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), welcoming and destigmatized care and specially trained substance use navigators (SUNs) that connect patients to ongoing care and support.