California Law Aims to Strengthen Access to Mental Health Services The number of people with symptoms of depression and anxiety has nearly quadrupled during the covid pandemic, which has made it even more maddeningly difficult to get timely mental health care, even if you have good insurance. A California law signed Oct. 8 by Gov. Gavin Newsom could help. It requires that mental health and substance abuse patients be offered return appointments no more than 10 days after a previous session, unless their provider OKs less frequent visits. Current insurance regulations already require giving patients an initial mental health visit no more than 10 ... October 29, 2021 COVID19, Healthcare, Mental Health, Patient Care Healthcare, Mental Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
Raising the Bar for Behavioral Health Care During the COVID-19 pandemic, the American public developed a deeper appreciation for behavioral health care, the umbrella term for mental health and substance use treatment. While demand for it is soaring, the US health care system is still falling far short. Despite significant spending, people with behavioral health conditions still suffer greatly. They experience more illness, poorer health outcomes, and a shorter life expectancy than the general population — often from preventable physical health conditions. State and federal governments are providing additional funds to improve behavioral health care, but ... October 26, 2021 COVID19, Healthcare, Mental Health Behavioral Health, COVID-19 0 0 Comment Read More »
COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Questions & Answers Who is eligible for booster vaccinations? On September 24, 2021, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended the following people should receive booster doses at least six months after completing their initial series: Got a Pfizer vaccination at least six months ago, and Are 65 or older, or Are a long-term care resident that is 18 or older, or Are 50-64 and have an underlying medical condition, or Are 50-64 and at increased risk due to social inequity (including that of communities of color) You may also consider getting ... October 18, 2021 COVID19, Patient Care, Public Health Boosters, COVID-19, Pubic Health, Santa Clara County, Vaccine 0 0 Comment Read More »
Bay Area Health Officers Issue Criteria for Lifting COVID-19 Indoor Masking Requirements Bay Area Health Officers Issue Criteria for Lifting COVID-19 Indoor Masking Requirements October 7, 2021 at 12:00 PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2021 SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. – As decisions to vaccinate and wear face coverings indoors drive down COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations, Health officers for the nine Bay Area jurisdictions that require face coverings in most indoor public spaces today reached consensus on criteria to lift those health orders and allow organizations to set those requirements independently. These health officers continue to work together across the Bay Area to protect public health with ... October 8, 2021 COVID19, Public Health COVID-19, Mandates, Masks 0 0 Comment Read More »
In Their Own Words: How Fragmented Care Harms People with Both Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder For the 8.9 million American adults — about 500,000 Californians — with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and substance use disorder, it can be difficult to receive fully coordinated and effective care. For people with low incomes, the barriers can be even higher and lead to unnecessary suffering and poor health outcomes. To better understand how Californians with dual diagnoses experience treatment, CHCF commissioned interviews with 54 people insured through Medi-Cal who have both mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD), as well as additional interviews with the family ... October 5, 2021 Healthcare, Medi-Cal, Mental Health Fragmented Care, Health Outcomes, Mental Health 0 0 Comment Read More »
