Attorney General No.
SA97RF0030
Secretary of State No.
761
Description
MENTAL HEALTH CARE. DRUG PRESCRIPTION AUTHORITY. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Requires health care businesses to provide mental health benefits among benefits covered and services made available. Prohibits health care businesses from: restricting access to mental health services, medications; denying mental health services deemed necessary; retaliating against health care professionals who support care for mental health patients; restricting mental health service through monetary incentives; refusing payment to psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers providing services. Appeal process. Regulates premium increases. Prohibits hospitals from barring medical staff membership to psychologists. Authorizes psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medications. Governmental exemption for indigent health care. Authorizes civil enforcement. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Uncertain state and local cost increases of potentially tens of millions of dollars or more annually, related to purchase of state and local employee health care coverage; potential state cost increases of tens of millions of dollars annually for medical and mental health coverage through the Healthy Families Program and Medi-Cal; and increased state administrative costs, potentially of several millions of dollars annually, possibly partially offset by unknown but potentially significant additional fine revenues.
Proponents
Dr. John Caccavale The California Committee For The Mental Health Parity Initiative, 15720 Ventura Blvd., Suite 225, Encino, Ca 91436-2911 (818) 971-3197
Date
10-24-1997
Document Type
Initiative
Qualified
Failed to Qualify
Recommended Citation
Mental Health Care. Drug Prescription Authority. California Initiative 761 (1997).
https://repository.uclawsf.edu/ca_ballot_inits/916