Behavioral health is a public policy priority with a significant
impact on other policy priorities: access, financial challenges,
emergency services, governmental mandates, and workforce.
Barriers to timely access and coordinated services include:
System capacity to deliver behavioral health care including
community-based levels of care
Sufficiency of the behavioral health care workforce
Integration of behavioral health with primary care
Coordination of care for the mild/moderately ill and
seriously ill
Lack of clarity on organizational roles and responsibilities
resulting in less effective care coordination and timely
reimbursement
Advocacy initiatives:
Building on the 2017 Behavioral Health Task Force
recommendations, convene appropriate stakeholders to implement
practices, programs, and policies that support the right
patient-focused care at the right place, the right time and with
the right providers.
Behavioral health care is one of the most pressing issues for
California and continues to be discussed across the state.
Hospital Council is participating in many of these conversations,
representing the hospital perspective. Highlights of the work
being done across Hospital Council’s regions include:
Tom Insel, MD, behavioral health advisor to Gov. Newsom, recently
sat down with CHA’s President & CEO Carmela Coyle to discuss
behavioral health care challenges across California. The two
health care leaders discussed fundamental areas that impede
access to care for millions.
In response to member concerns about challenges to effective
behavioral health care services, a Task Force of our members was
convened to produce a report in 2017. Its purpose was to enable
Hospital Council, its Regional Vice Presidents and members to be
more effective conveners and partners and to identify potential
collaborative actions to enhance access to care, care
coordination and funding for integrated behavioral health
services.
Brian is Regional Vice President of the Hospital Council for the
Sacramento-Sierra, Stanislaus-Merced, and San Joaquin-Mother Lode
sections. In this capacity, he convenes several health care
stakeholder groups to improve issues such as emergency medical
services, workforce development, and mental health. He also
serves as a member of the San Joaquin County Health
Commission. The Commission oversees the Health Plan of San
Joaquin, a $1 billion Medi-Cal health plan.
Brian Jensen
Regional Vice President
Brian is Regional Vice President of the Hospital Council for the Sacramento-Sierra, Stanislaus-Merced, and San Joaquin-Mother Lode sections. In this capacity, he convenes several health care stakeholder groups to improve issues such as emergency medical services, workforce development, and mental health. He also serves as a member of the San Joaquin County Health Commission. The Commission oversees the Health Plan of San Joaquin, a $1 billion Medi-Cal health plan.
Suite 730
Sacramento, CA 95814