Tacoma officials plan to implement a new behavioral health crisis response team to assist community members. Mayor Victoria Woodards announced the initiative at the State of the City address on Thursday. She said the team will be housed in the Tacoma Fire Department (TFD), and will provide healing resources for people experiencing a … Read more
In this edition, we focus on the end of the healthcare setting mask mandate, CareOregon’s work to help customers retain coverage through the redeterminations process, and controversial legislation that would mandate minimum nurse/patient staffing ratios. Thanks for reading! Shane Ersland State of Reform 1. Mask mandate to end next month The requirement for workers … Read more
The California Senate’s Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services met for a panel discussion regarding older adults experiencing homelessness on Thursday. The discussion provided information on the current rates of adults experiencing homelessness in the state, and ways to combat the issue. Older adults in California represent the fastest growing age group of the … Read more
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the availability of $907 million in grant funding for the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program that will address immediate housing and treatment needs for individuals experiencing homelessness who have serious behavioral health conditions, including serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use disorder (SUD). Houselessness and untreated behavioral health … Read more
Public health initiatives top newly elected Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s 2023-25 budget, which she released this week. Building more housing and reducing homelessness, improving access to mental health and addiction services, and improving outcomes in early literacy and K-12 schools are the top three priorities listed in Kotek’s budget. “Every Oregonian, no matter … Read more
The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is working with the CMS to amend the Medicaid Section 1115 Research and Demonstration Waiver, which would waive the requirement for foster youth between ages 18 and 26 to apply for other cash benefits in order to be eligible for Medicaid. The goal of the five-year waiver … Read more
AlohaCare recently launched its new community giving program, Imua Loa (meaning to go forward in health and well-being), by distributing $300,000 to benefit 20 organizations throughout the Hawaiian islands. Eighteen organizations received donations from between $5,000 and $35,000 each to help meet essential and holiday needs of keiki to kupuna facing homelessness or … Read more
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee prioritized initiatives to address homelessness and behavioral health needs in his proposed 2023-25 budget, which he released on Wednesday. Inslee’s housing proposal features a referendum that would allow legislators to front-load $4 billion of housing construction over the next six years. The underlying capital budget will fund approximately 2,200 … Read more
A pair of speakers at the 2022 Los Angeles State of Reform Health Policy Conference identified some challenges they are expecting with implementation of the recently established CARE Court system. The panelists also discussed how they expect the CARE Courts to impact the state’s behavioral health system. The CARE Court program, established through … Read more
With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s CARE Court proposal currently placed on the legislative suspense file, conversations surrounding the bill remain contentious. Senate Bill 1338, introduced by Sens. Tom Umberg (D–Santa Ana) and Susan Talamantes Eggman (D–Stockton), would establish the CARE Court Program to provide treatment, housing, and support services to Californians with complex behavioral … Read more