Behavioral Health

Behavioral health is a public policy priority in part due to its connection to other policy priorities: access, financial viability, emergency services, governmental mandates, workforce, and population health management.

The lack of access to primary health care in general, and behavioral health care in particular, and a lack of community-based resources results in emergency departments receiving patients who are not appropriate for the ED and who remain in the ED due to lack of post-acute and community resources.  Patient and staff safety issues add to the complexity of managing ED volume and disaster readiness.  The financial impact of siloed funding and inter-county regulations further complicates member efforts to provide the right care at the right time in the right place. Workforce shortages further exacerbate the situation.

To support member concerns the Hospital Council will, consistent with Board approved policies:

1. Advocate for alternative treatment, placement and care delivery options for patients, e.g. sobering centers, mobile crisis units, crisis residential centers and the use of tele-psychiatry including for 5150 holds and releases
2. Advocate for adoption of policies by county mental health departments that support timely triage, treatment, and transfers from hospital emergency departments to other appropriate care settings
3. Identify and support local solutions to increase access to behavioral health services and share those experiences as part of the development of statewide policy