California Hospital Association (CHA) Center for Behavioral Health

The Center for Behavioral HealthMission Statement

The California Hospital Association (CHA) Center for Behavioral Health was formally established in 1992 to emphasize the importance of mental health and chemical dependency services and programs in California’s hospital and health care community.

Members of the center include CHA members that provide mental health and/or chemical dependency services. The center is governed by a 21-member advisory board that is proportionately representative of its membership.

Two-Thirds of California Adults With Mental Illness Do Not Receive Care

 Sheree Lowe

According to a new report from the California HealthCare Foundation, many Californians who experience mental illness do not get treatment. Despite federal and state laws that mandate parity in coverage of mental and physical illness, approximately two-thirds of adults with a mental illness and two-thirds of adolescents with major depressive episodes do not get treatment. However, the number of adults receiving specialty mental health services through Medi-Cal has increased by nearly 50 percent from 2012 to 2015 — coinciding with expansion of Medi-Cal eligibility.

Other key findings include:

  • The prevalence of serious mental illness varied by income, with much higher rates of mental illness at lower income levels for both children and adults.
  • Compared to the US, California had a lower rate of suicide, although it varied considerably within the state by gender, age, race/ethnicity and region.
  • Emergency department visits resulting in an inpatient psychiatric admission increased by 30 percent between 2010 and 2015. More robust community services might decrease emergency department use.
  • In 2015, 38 percent of female prison inmates and 23 percent of the male prison population received mental health treatment while incarcerated.

Behavioral Health Care SymposiumMaking Connections Matter

December 10 – 11, 2018

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Riverside Convention Center

The annual Behavioral Health Care Symposium and Emergency Services Forum will provide you with three days of need-to-know content that will inspire and motivate you to create change in your facility. Day one focuses on behavioral health care policy and pressing issues. Day two is a blended format for both behavioral health care providers and ED professionals. Day three is focused solely on emergency medical care services issues and progressive practices to create future-focused ED care systems.

CDC Issues Health Alert on Increased Opioid Deaths From Fentanyl

 Debby Rogers, RN, MS, FAEN

A new health alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides updated information on the evolving opioid epidemic. The alert includes specific recommendations for improving detection of and response to fentanyl outbreaks, as well as expanding opioid use disorder treatment and use of naloxone. The CDC encourages health care providers to consider using multiple dosages of naloxone per overdose event, due to fentanyl’s potency; facilitate access to medication-assisted treatment; and use emergency departments as points of intervention for people who experience overdoses.

House Passes CHA-Supported Opioid Bills

 Anne O’Rourke

Yesterday, the House passed H.R. 5797, the Individuals in Medicaid Deserve Care that is Appropriate and Responsible in its Execution Act, and H.R. 6082, the Overdose Prevention and Patient Safety Act, both supported by CHA.

Each received bipartisan support. H.R. 5797 passed by a vote of 261-155, with 22 members of the California delegation supporting it. H.R. 6082 passed by a vote of 357-57, with 37 members of the California delegation voting in support.

Attached are the vote tallies for both bills.

CHA Helps Launch Statewide Behavioral Health Action CoalitionCalls on candidates to prioritize behavioral health solutions in 2018

 Carmela Coyle Jan Emerson-Shea

The new coalition was co-founded by CHA and is comprised of more than 50 non-traditional partners to engage candidates and raise awareness about the importance of addressing behavioral health issues in the state.

Veterans Administration Launches Telehealth Program for Rural Vets With PTSD

 Sheree Lowe

To help improve access to mental health care for veterans who live in rural areas, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a pilot telehealth program that will provide remote access to psychotherapy and related services. Intended for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, participants will receive frequent phone calls from a care manager who will help them access services provided by off-site psychiatrists and psychologists via interactive video. Pilot programs will take place in 12 locations nationwide, including San Diego. Results of the program will be available in 2020 and will influence implementation of the program nationally.

CHA Holds 12th Annual Behavioral Health Care Symposium

 Sheree Lowe

Behavioral health care and emergency department professionals gathered Dec. 4-5 in Riverside for the 12th annual Behavioral Health Care Symposium, presented by CHA’s Center for Behavioral Health (view photo gallery).

More than 365 hospital representatives, faculty and exhibitors enjoyed the conference. With the theme of “Agents of Change: Challenging the Status Quo,” the conference featured keynote presentations on clinical virtual reality and creating unified relationships to deliver excellent health care. Other presentations addressed prevention and early intervention, the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance complaint and grievance process, tech-enabled care, delivery system innovations, treating transgender patients, workplace violence and managing agitation. Additionally, attendees heard a moving family perspective story and watched the trailer for the film, “The S Word,” about suicide.

Next year’s symposium will be held Dec. 10-11.

Šimanek Distinguished Service Award Given Posthumously to Kathi Lencioni

 Sheree Lowe

CHA’s Center for Behavioral Health for the first time presented theŠimanek Distinguished Service Award posthumously. On Dec. 4, during the 12th annual Behavioral Health Care Symposium in Riverside, Kathi Lencioni was remembered and honored.

Kathi Lencioni, as CEO of Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital and Sharp McDonald Center in San Diego, served on the advisory board for the Center for Behavioral Health from 2010 through 2015, when she retired. She had over 30 years of experience in health care management and promoted behavioral health awareness on the local, state and national levels. Larkin Hoyt and Christiana Paul of Sharp Mesa Vista accepted the award on her behalf.

The Šimanek Distinguished Service Award, named after its first recipient attorney Joe Šimanek, recognizes outstanding leadership and achievements in the behavioral health setting.

CHA Member Elected Chair of MHSOAC

 Sheree Lowe

The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) has announced that John Boyd, Sutter Health CEO of mental health services, has been elected Chair. Boyd, who served as a member of CHA’s Center for Behavioral Health Board from 2008-14, has an extensive background in health care administration and mental health and has served on MHSOAC since 2013. Boyd’s one-year term will begin in January 2018. CHA congratulates Boyd on his appointment.

Privacy for Patients with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders WebinarClarifying laws and regulations, what you can and can’t disclose, breach reporting

Webinar Recorded Live on September 11, 2014

OVERVIEW

Health care providers are often afraid to share patient information — even when doing so would be good for the patient and perfectly legal. Not being comfortable with the rules, they hold back. Sometimes that’s not in the best interest of the patient — especially patients with mental health or substance use disorders who often need extra support.

Center for Behavioral Health Elects New Advisory Board Members

 Sheree Lowe

Three members have been elected to CHA’s Center for Behavioral Health Advisory Board to fill existing vacancies and replace members whose terms end in December 2017.

The new members, whose terms will begin Jan. 1, 2018, are:

  • Steven Brass, MD, MPH, MBA, Director of Medical Affairs, Providence Health and Services, San Pedro
  • Trisha Khaleghi, SVP/CEO Sharp Memorial Hospital, Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital & The McDonald Center at Sharp HealthCare, San Diego
  • Patrick Ziemer, CEO, Alvarado Parkway Institute/Behavioral Health System, La Mesa
  • Clayton Chau, MD, PhD, regional executive medical director, Providence St. Joseph Health, Southern California Region, Irvine

Source: CHA Website