SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that California has received approval from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for its proposed Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) demonstration waiver. The approval follows a successful advocacy trip by Governor Newsom to Washington, DC, where he championed the initiative's potential to transform the state’s mental health system.
Governor Newsom stated, “Californians will soon have more support and more people providing support thanks to the approval by the Biden-Harris Administration of California’s innovative efforts to transform our state’s mental health system for better care and a more accountable system in every community.”
This groundbreaking waiver is a critical step forward in addressing the mental health crisis in California. Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions faced by residents, with nearly 1 in 26 Californians experiencing serious mental health issues. In 2022, two-thirds of adults with mental illness did not receive treatment, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive support services.
BH-CONNECT is designed to offer Medi-Cal members — more than 14 million Californians — enhanced access to behavioral health services. This initiative is especially crucial for individuals leaving treatment settings or facing homelessness, who stand to benefit greatly from the program’s focus on recovery and community stabilization. Through this new initiative, California aims to provide more equitable and accessible mental health care for its residents, particularly those with the most significant behavioral health needs.
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