California Legislative Updates
APA – Letter to Secretary Kennedy
The APA and AACAP have sent a letter to Secretary Kennedy. The goal is to engage with the Make America Healthy Again Commission in a dialogue to educate them about effective life-saving treatment for children with MH SUD. APA remains committed to protecting and supporting our policies. You may view [...]
Trump Administration Open to IMD Exclusion Changes?
As reported by Dorothy Mills-Gregg in Inside Health Policy, HHS Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised to work with senators to repeal the federal ban on Medicaid funding so-called Institutions for Mental Diseases, ensure the Medicare area wage index is fair to rural providers and “fix” the nursing home staffing rule. Kennedy’s [...]
Governor Signs $2.5 Billion Relief Package to Help Fire Recovery
Governor Newsom has signed legislation providing over $2.5 billion in disaster relief. The funding will be made available immediately to help bolster ongoing emergency response efforts and jumpstart recovery efforts. The special session legislation – ABx1-4 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and SBx1-3 by Senator Scott Wiener – provides funding to expedite firestorm response and [...]
SD Mayor on Homelessness and Mental Health
This week, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria called out county government for not doing its share regarding behavioral health services and homelessness. "It is...long past time for the County of San Diego to fulfill its responsibility on addressing homelessness in the region. Mental health and addiction are often at the [...]
NYT on LA Street Psychiatry
This week, the New York Times ran an article highlighting the pioneering work of street psychiatrists on the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) HOME Team, including Yelena Koldobskaya, MD, who is an active member of the SCPS Unhoused Workgroup. She has been instrumental in developing several SCPS-suggested 2025 high-priority advocacy [...]
Legislative Proposals
CSAP's Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) will meet again on October 17 to refine and prioritize issues. You may view proposals that have been submitted for consideration below. If you have an idea that could be impactful and pursued in 2025, there is still time to contact Paul Yoder at SYASL. 1. CARE Court: [...]