Assembly Bill Archives - Page 4 of 6 - Mental Health America of California

SB 999 (Cortese) Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Health Coverage – Support

March 18, 2024

The Honorable Dave Cortese
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Suite 6630
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Senate Bill 999 (Cortese) — Support

Dear Senator Cortese:

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to assist and encourage communities, families and individuals to experience hope, wellness and recovery from mental health and substance use disorder issues through voluntary services that are delivered in their local community with compassion and respect for everyone’s dignity and autonomy. MHAC is pleased to support Senate Bill 999 (Cortese), legislation which would increase access to mental health and substance use disorder care.

SB 999 (Cortese) ensures utilization review determinations are made by a healthcare provider practicing in the relevant clinical specialty with the same level of education and experience as the health care provider requesting the authorization. By ensuring that individuals making the utilization review determination have relevant experience and knowledge as a provider, a more informed decision can be made about the necessity of the request, which can lead to more individuals receiving the care they want and need.

Additionally, this bill requires health plans or insurers to provide direct access and communication between health plans or insurers and health care providers. Increasing access to direct communication reduces the time it takes to conduct a utilization review and increases the delivery of care in a timely manner.

Furthermore, the legislation guarantees certain rights to healthcare providers and health plan enrollees such as the name and credentials of the individual or health care provider performing utilization review, the basis for a denial including citations to the clinical guidelines reviewed, and an analysis of why the health plan enrollee did not meet the clinical criteria. Should a utilization review result in denial, a health plan enrollee can appeal using the provided information, empowering individuals to self-advocate for their care.

For these reasons, we support Senate Bill 999 (Cortese). If you or your staff have any questions, or if Mental Health America of California can be of any assistance on this or any other behavioral health bill, please do not hesitate to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org, or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

AB 3260 (Pellerin) Review and Grievance Protocol – Support

March 29, 2024

The Honorable Mia Bonta
Chair, Assembly Health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: AB 3260 (Pellerin) – SUPPORT

Dear Chair Bonta:

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is writing to express our support of AB 3260 (Pellerin), which will improve transparency and provide due process for consumers filing grievances and regulatory complaints concerning access to care, denied health care services, and coverage disputes.

CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. Since CAYEN’s inception in 2006, CAYEN has taken many forms of action to empower TAY in their personal lives and spark progressive change in public policy. We firmly believe that transparency and a more effective due process is essential for ensuring the well-being and rights of all consumers, particularly TAY who are navigating complex mental health systems.

Far too often, when commercially insured patients seek treatment for behavioral health or substance use disorders, health plans exceed required timeframes for approving care requests, fail to provide access to care within legally mandated timelines, or deny requests that should be covered—even when the patient’s condition is urgent. Consumers can seek recourse, but grievance procedures are slow and opaque and frequently result in patients neither receiving timely treatment nor receiving due process when they register complaints. California’s groundbreaking behavioral health parity (SB 855) and timely access laws (SB 221) could address this crisis if consumers were able to more fully enforce them. AB 3260 can empower TAY to do just that.

Unfortunately, health plans do not consistently decide or provide proper notice of decisions concerning claims such as prior authorization based on medical necessity, urgency, and/or access to care, nor do they address grievances within the timeframes and manner specified by law. This leads consumers either to pay out of pocket while waiting for health plans to respond or to go without treatment altogether.

AB 3260 would address these issues by prohibiting health plans and disability insurers from overriding a provider’s designation of a condition as urgent, which can result in improper and dangerous delays in care It would tighten the timelines health plans have to approve/deny requests for care, and trigger an immediate grievance if a health plan fails to respond in a timely manner. If a health plan or disability insurer fails to adjudicate a grievance within mandated timeframes, it would automatically resolve in the patient’s favor. The bill will also expand due process rights to patients and prohibit ex parte communication between departments and parties to regulatory complaints, as well as further harmonize state law with federal law.

AB 3260 improves transparency and due process for consumers to ensure they have recourse when they are denied timely access to the appropriate care they are entitled to receive under the law, by health insurance for which they have already paid. For these reasons, we support AB 3260 (Pellerin), and we respectfully request an “AYE” vote. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide any assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org.

Sincerely,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator

AB 2466 (Carrillo) Timely Access to Behavioral Health Services for Medi-Cal Recipients – Support

April 5, 2024

The Honorable Mia Bonta
Chair, Assembly Health Committee
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Support for AB 2466 (Carrillo)

Dear Chair Bonta:

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support AB 2466 (Carrillo), legislation which would improve timely access to behavioral health services for Medi-Cal recipients by strengthening appointment standards, establishing repercussions for non-compliance, and establishing requirements for data collection and reporting.

Delays in the delivery of services can mean the difference between managing one’s mental health challenges and experiencing a mental health crisis. According to an audit of the Department of Managed Health Care, non-urgent appointments had an average wait time of 23 days, surpassing the standard time frame by nearly two weeks.[1] Urgent appointments saw an average wait time of 13 days, exceeding the standard urgent appointment time frame by 9 days.

AB 2466 (Carillo) aims to address these delays and ensure accountability among Medi-Cal managed health plans. For these reasons we support AB 2566 and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if MHAC can provide any assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or our Interim Public Policy Director, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO

[1] Department of Health Care Services and Department of Managed Health Care. Report 2023-115. (n.d.). https://www.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2023-115/index.htm l

AB 2417 (Hoover) Repealing Housing First – Oppose

March 18, 2024

The Honorable Christopher M. Ward
Chair, Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development
1020 N Street, Room 156
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Opposition of AB 2417 (Hoover)

Dear Assemblymember Ward,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) writes in opposition to AB 2417 (Hoover), legislation that would repeal Housing First policies and the requirement of state agencies and departments to incorporate the core components of Housing First.

MHAC is a peer-run organization leading the state in behavioral health public policy and
advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to assist and encourage communities, families and individuals to experience hope, wellness and recovery from mental health and substance use disorder issues through voluntary services that are delivered in their local community with compassion and respect for everyone’s dignity and autonomy. Housing First plays a vital role in advancing MHAC’s mission and vision of enhancing individual recovery by safeguarding and emphasizing housing and services for homeless individuals facing behavioral health challenges.

Many unhoused individuals are susceptible to substance use and mental health challenges while living on the streets. An analysis of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Program found that 25% of unhoused Californian’s have a mental health challenge.[1] As California continues to invest in resources that best support our unhoused community, housing remains the most effective tool in getting people off the street and connected to mental and behavioral health services.

Housing First reduces obstacles for unhoused individuals to access housing assistance and shields them from eviction stemming from their behavioral health issues. These safeguards encompass shielding individuals from housing discrimination, irrespective of their substance use, treatment history, or engagement in services. Additionally, it ensures protection from eviction solely based on alcohol or drug use, without the presence of other lease violations.

It is for these reasons we oppose AB 2417 (Hoover) and ask for your “No” vote. If you have any questions, or if MHAC can provide any assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or our Interim Public Policy Director, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO

[1] U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (n.d.). CoC Homeless Populations and Subpopulations Reports. Welcome to HUD Exchange – HUD Exchange. https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/coc-homeless-populations-and-subpopulations-reports /

AB 2161 (Arambula) Early Psychosis Intervention Plus Program – Support

May 31, 2024

The Honorable Joaquin Arambula
California State Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 6130
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 2161 (Arambula)

Dear Assemblymember Arambula,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 2161, legislation which would require the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and the State Department of Health Care Services to create a strategic plan to achieve specific goals, including improving the understanding of psychosis. Additionally, it would seek to partner with the University of California to develop a plan to establish the Center for Mental Health Wellness and Innovations to promote the widespread availability of evidence-based practices to improve behavioral health services.

MHAC is a peer-run organization leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to assist and encourage communities, families and individuals to experience hope, wellness and recovery from mental health and substance use disorder issues through voluntary services that are delivered in their local community with compassion and respect for everyone’s dignity and autonomy. We are proud to support early psychosis and mood disorder detection, enabling the state to invest in voluntary services and support before crises arise.

Early interventions can lead to significant long-term health benefits. Upstream preventative services have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the need for inpatient care, allowing individuals to remain in their local communities, closer to home. Furthermore, providing resources and services as early as possible helps support children and youth development to better manage their mental health challenges leading to more productive and full lives.

For these reasons we support AB 2161 (Arambula). If you have any questions, or if MHAC can provide any assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or our Public Policy Director, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO

AB 2142 (Haney) Therapy in Correctional Facilities – Support

March 28, 2024

The Honorable Kevin McCarty
Chair, Assembly Committee on Public Safety
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 111
Sacramento, CA 95814

Subject: Support for AB 2142 (Haney)

Dear Assemblymember McCarty,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 2142 (Haney), legislation which would create a pilot program at select prisons to ensure that behavioral health therapy is accessible to incarcerated people who do not have a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) severe mental health disorder classification. As a result, this bill would increase access to behavioral health services to individuals not currently eligible to receive them.

The California Youth Empowerment Network is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. Since CAYEN’s inception in 2006, CAYEN has taken many forms of action to empower TAY in their personal lives and spark progressive change in public policy. Everyone, even TAY who are justice involved, has a right to mental or behavioral health services that could prevent self-harm, improve wellness, and reduce recidivism.

In a 2022 CDCR report, 5% of incarcerated individuals who died by suicide were aged 18 to 25.[1] This percentage rises to 57% among those aged 25 to 44. Prevention and early intervention services can play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of suicide among justice-involved individuals, especially considering that 65% of suicides occur within the first 10 years of incarceration. Therefore, enhancing access to mental and behavioral health services will benefit individuals’ long term and reduce the number of suicides.

Additionally, 75% of serious mental health challenges begin before the age of 25.[2] Given that incarcerated TAY often have a history that includes Adverse Childhood Experiences and other trauma, it is essential that mental health services be made available and accessible to incarcerated TAY who request those services.

For these reasons, we support AB 2142 and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

[1] 2022 annual report on suicides and suicide prevention … (n.d.). https://cchcs.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2022-Annual-Report.pdf

[2] California, S. of. (2024, March 21). Early psychosis intervention plus. MHSOAC. https://mhsoac.ca.gov/initiatives/early-psychosis-intervention-plus/

AB 2142 (Haney)Therapy in Correctional Facilities – Cosponsored

March 28, 2024

The Honorable Kevin McCarty
Chair, Assembly Committee on Public Safety
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 111
Sacramento, CA 95814

Subject: Cosponsor Support for AB 2142 (Haney)

Dear Assemblymember McCarty,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to cosponsor AB 2142 (Haney), legislation which would create a pilot program at select prisons to ensure that behavioral health therapy is accessible to incarcerated people who do not have a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) severe mental health disorder classification. As a result, this bill would increase access to behavioral health services to individuals not currently eligible to receive them.

MHAC is a peer-run organization leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to assist and encourage communities, families and individuals to experience hope, wellness and recovery from mental health and substance use disorder issues through voluntary services that are delivered in their local community with compassion and respect for everyone’s dignity and autonomy. Everyone, even individuals who are justice involved, have a right to recovery and should not be denied behavioral health services that could prevent self-harm, improve wellness and reduce recidivism.

According to a 2022 CDCR report, 45.5% of recorded prison suicides were among the Hispanic population, while 27.9% were among African Americans.[1] These significant disparities underscore the lack of support reaching our most underserved communities. Furthermore, 67,000 incarcerated Californians have no access to any mental health care at all, rendering them unable to process trauma, work on addiction, and address other behavioral health issues. AB 2142 offers a mechanism to broaden preventive services to these individuals, without being classified as having a serious mental health condition, thereby reducing the likelihood of crises. This preventative measure can help identify and support underserved communities and ensure delivery of culturally responsive support and services. The access to preventive services is essential for addressing the trauma individuals experience before and during incarceration.

For these reasons, we support AB 2142 and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if MHAC can provide any assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me or our Interim Public Policy Director, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO

[1] 2022 annual report on suicides and suicide prevention … (n.d.). https://cchcs.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2022-Annual-Report.pdf

AB 2051(Bonta) PSYPACT – Support

March 18, 2024

The Honorable Marc Berman

Chair, Assembly Committee on Business and Professions
1020 N Street, Room 379
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 2051(Bonta)

Dear Assemblymember Barman,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 2051 (Bonta), legislation that would establish California as a member of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). This compact would allow a psychologist licensed in a state that has joined PSYPACT, to practice telepsychology in other PSYPACT states even if they may not be licensed in that specific state.

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. Since CAYEN’s inception in 2006, CAYEN has taken many forms of action to empower TAY in their personal lives and spark progressive change in public policy. One area of focus is increasing mental health services and reducing the barriers that make them inaccessible.

Accessing mental health services can be highly challenging for Transitional Age Youth (TAY) pursuing higher education. Each year, tens of thousands of students relocate to and from California for college, disrupting their access to mental health providers. Varied licensure standards across states hinder telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state borders, leaving students and other populations unable to receive care from their preferred providers. AB 2051 aims to dismantle this obstacle by permitting psychologists, authorized through an “E.Passport” from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to practice telepsychology across state lines.

Given that over 40 states are already part of PYSPACT, mental health providers in California could broaden their telepsychology practice. Additionally, individuals residing in member states would maintain access to services from their preferred and trusted providers. For these reasons we support AB 2051 (Ramos) and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org.

Sincerely

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator

AB 2051 (Bonta) PSYPACT – Sponsor

March 5, 2024

The Honorable Marc Berman, Chair
Assembly Committee on Business and Professions 1020 N Street, Room 379
Sacramento, CA 95814

Subject: AB 2051 (Bonta) PSYPACT – Sponsor

Dear Chair Berman,

Mental Health America of California and the Steinberg Institute are proud to co-sponsor AB 2051 (Bonta) to add California to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which will increase Californian’s access to behavioral services at a critical time when we are facing both a mental health crisis and a workforce shortage. We respectfully request your support when this bill comes before you.

Today, nearly one in six Californians is experiencing some form of mental health challenges, but access to care is devastatingly limited. According to a 2018 poll by the California Health Care Foundation and the Kaiser Family Foundation, only 23% of Californians received the mental health services they needed. This disparity between need and access to care is in large part due to the ever- worsening behavioral health workforce shortage.

Due to the workforce shortage, California cannot meet the growing demand for behavioral health services. Attrition across the industry will exacerbate this shortage in the years to come. According to the Steinberg Institute, to meet the growing need for behavioral health services and attrition across the field, California will need to add nearly 375,000 workers over the next decade, or 32,000 workers a year. Specifically, California will need to add approximately 30,000 psychologists to California’s workforce over the next 10 years.

When Californians do find a psychologist, they cannot see them when they are travelling out of state, or if they relocate to another state, disrupting their care. This is critically important for young adults who move out of the state to attend college. The current psychology workforce and existing laws surrounding the practice of psychology do not adequately address or accurately reflect the needs of Californians.

Occupational licensure compacts are one way that we can address the behavioral health workforce shortage and get Californians the care they need now. Through licensure compacts, states establish and agree upon uniform standards that enable multi-state practice. There are currently 15 Occupational Licensure Compacts recognized by the National Center for Interstate Compacts.

PSYPACT, the occupational licensure compact for psychologists, was created by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASSPB) in 2014. To date, 40 states have enacted PSYPACT legislation, joining the compact. By providing a means for psychologists to practice across state lines, PSYPACT increases access to care and allows for continuity of care when patients or providers relocate or travel. Because all compact states enact the same model legislation, PSYPACT promotes cooperation between states and provides a means for telepsychology regulation and consumer protection.

California can’t afford not to join PSYPACT. We must use all tools at our disposal to address our behavioral health workforce shortage and ensure clients have continuity of care. For these reasons, Mental Health America of California and the Steinberg Institute are proud to co-sponsor AB 2051 and respectfully request your support when this bill comes before your committee. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhaofca.org and Tara Gamboa-Eastman at tara@steinberginstitute.org.

Sincerely,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

Tara Gamboa-Eastman
Director of Government Affairs
Steinberg Institute

AB 2007 (Boerner)Transitional Housing for Homeless Youth – Support

April 12, 2024

The Honorable Alex Lee

Chair, Committee on Human Services
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 124
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 2007

Dear Chair Lee,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 2007 (Boerner), legislation which upon appropriation by the Legislature would establish the Unicorn Homes Transitional Housing for Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth Program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 18 to 14.

We recognize housing as a crucial element in fostering a supportive environment for a youth’s recovery and wellness. This is especially important for our transitional age youth, ages 15 to 26, as 75% of mental health disorders manifest by age 24.[1] AB 2007 aims to support our homeless LGBTQ+ transitional age youth who have additionally experienced an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) of parental abandonment and neglect, with safe and stable housing.

In addition to housing, this bill aims to support the youth in addressing their adverse experiences with their families, in hopes of reunifying them. For these reasons, we support AB 2002 (Boerner). If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul

Public Policy Coordinator

California Youth Empowerment Network

[1] California, S. of. (2024a, March 21). Early psychosis intervention plus. Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission . https://mhsoac.ca.gov/initiatives/early-psychosis-intervention-plu s/