Position Category: Assembly Bill

March 22, 2023

The Honorable Brian Maienschein
State Assembly
1021 O St., Suite 6220
Sacramento CA 95814

Subject: SUPPORT for AB 456 (Maienschein)

Dear Assembly Member Maienschein:

Mental Health America of California is pleased to SUPPORT Assembly Bill 456 (Maienschein), legislation which would require California State University (CSU) and California Community Colleges (CCC) campuses and request University of California (UC) campuses to establish a campus mental health hotline.

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services. Along these lines, we support efforts which increase access to voluntary, culturally responsive, community-based behavioral health services.

MHAC firmly believes that providing mental health services and supports to college students not only improves student success and campus life, but also student mental health. Between 2018 and 2020 the suicide rate for youth ages 15-24 in California was 8.7 per 100,000. We must do everything we can to reduce these startling statistics. While many campuses, in their respective systems, already provide mental health services and supports, there are campuses that do not provide mental health services, leaving many students without a support system during a time of crisis.

Assembly Bill 456 will help close the equity gap for a vulnerable age group with little to no access to mental health services. Our institutions of higher learning build communities on their campus to foster a supportive environment for personal development and educational success. Ensuring access to a mental health hotline in a time of crisis provides the greatest access to community based behavioral health services for this age group.

For these reasons, we SUPPORT AB 456. 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 Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

March 21, 2023

The Honorable Jacqui Irwin
California State Assembly
1021 O St., Suite 6220
Sacramento CA 95814

Subject: SUPPORT for AB 1437 (Irwin)

Dear Assembly Member Irwin:

Mental Health America of California is pleased to SUPPORT Assembly Bill 1437 (Irwin), legislation that will improve access to crucial serious mental illness medications for Medi-Cal patients by removing unnecessary prescription reauthorization barriers.

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services. Along these lines, we support efforts which increase access to voluntary, culturally responsive, community-based behavioral health services.

It is estimated that more than 5 million Californians have a mental health condition, with over 1.3 million adults facing serious mental health challenges. Early access to mental health services and supports is vital to improving the lives of people living with mental health challenges.

Current reauthorization procedures delay people with mental health challenges, who are covered under Medi-Cal, from receiving medication without first having the prescriber get authorization before the medicine can be dispensed. This barrier increases the likelihood of negative outcomes such as emergency room visits, hospitalizations, being unhoused, suicidal ideation, or incarceration.

Assembly Bill 1437 would allow access to much needed medication for people with mental health challenges faster and more efficiently. It improves their quality of life by supporting a full, independent, and productive lifestyle by eliminating barriers to mental health medication access when a person seeks behavioral healthcare.

For these reasons, we SUPPORT AB 1437. If you or your staff have any questions, or would like assistance with this or any other bill, please do not hesitate to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

Sincerely,

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

March 23, 2023

The Honorable Marc Berman
California State Assembly
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0023

RE: AB 948 (Berman) – Prescription Drug Copay Cap – SUPPORT

Dear Assemblymember Berman:

Mental Health America of California is pleased to SUPPORT Assembly Bill 948 (Berman), legislation which will make permanent the existing $250 co-pay cap for prescription drugs, ensuring consumers can count on their monthly prescription drug costs staying within reach. The bill also extends other key consumer protection standards for the tiering of prescription drugs in a health plan’s formulary.

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services. Along these lines, we support efforts which increase access to voluntary, culturally responsive, community-based behavioral health services.

Before the $250 cost-sharing cap was signed into law with AB 339 (Gordon, Chapter 619 of 2015), Californians with serious mental health challenges were particularly vulnerable to high out-of- pocket costs because more expensive specialty drugs were often put on the highest tier of the formulary, costing thousands of dollars. Just filling one prescription in January meant consumers often reached their annual out-of-pocket limit of $6,000 for that single prescription in one month.

Since 2015, prescription drug costs have increased significantly – 22.2% over the last five years, or about 5% each year. As prescription drug prices rise, more and more consumers’ prescription drugs will hit the $250 cost-sharing cap, increasing the number of Californians who will be counting on this consumer protection to keep costs lower. If the co-pay cap sunsets at the end of 2023, more costs will be shifted to consumers. People that need high-cost prescription drugs could be charged up to the out-of-pocket maximum for a 30-day prescription; the 2023 out-of-pocket maximum is $8,750 for Silver Plans, and is expected to increase in 2024.

Prescription drug costs are one of many barriers preventing people with mental health challenges from receiving necessary treatment. AB 948 will continue an existing policy that has made it possible for significant numbers of people with mental health challenges to afford their medication.

For these reasons, we SUPPORT Assembly Bill 948. If you or your staff have any questions or if MHAC can be of assistance on this or any behavioral health bill, please do not hesitate to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

February 23, 2023

The Honorable Chris Holden
California State Assembly
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0041

RE: SUPPORT AB 289 (Holden) – Mental Health Services Act

Dear Assembly Member Holden:

On behalf of Mental Health America of California (MHAC), I write to express our strong support for AB 289 (Holden), which would require youth and youth mental health organizations to be added to the list of stakeholders who must be included in discussions with counties as they develop their Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) three-year plans and annual updates.

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is a peer-run organization that has been leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, spirituality, religion, age or socioeconomic status who require mental health services and supports are able to live full and productive lives, receive the mental health services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services. Along these lines, we support efforts which increase access to voluntary, appropriate, culturally responsive, mental health services for all Californians.

The MHSA was written to transform California’s Public Mental Health System by prioritizing, among other things, extensive stakeholder involvement in the development, implementation, and evaluation of MHSA-funded county programs and services. The reasoning behind this is that each county will have different community needs, and the stakeholders living in the community are the most knowledgeable about the needs and service gaps within their own communities.

The behavioral health needs of Youth and Transition Age Youth (TAY) require services which are often separate and distinct from the services utilized by adults. For this reason, to ensure that MHSA-funded services in each county are responsive to the needs of youth, it is important that youth and youth mental health organizations be required stakeholders in county MHSA planning.

For these reasons, MHAC is in strong support of AB 289. If you have any questions and or if Mental Health America of California can be of any assistance on this or any other behavioral health bill, please contact me or our Interim Director of Public Policy Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO