In 2017, the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN) sponsored Assembly Bill (AB) 470, the Mental Health Equity Act, to improve data transparency in monitoring behavioral health service delivery through Medi-Cal. This report analyzes recently updated AB 470 data for fiscal year 2023, focusing on racial, ethnic, and language disparities with a snapshot of utilization by race and ethnicity at the county and managed care plan (MCP) levels. In addition to AB 470 data, this report presents data on other quality measures and the peer support specialist workforce to more comprehensively understand the broader behavioral health landscape within Medi-Cal.
California has recently implemented several policy reforms and investments in behavioral health transformation, including CalAIM’s No Wrong Door policy, the optional Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist benefit, and the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). Disaggregated data collection and reporting remain critical to evaluating the effectiveness and progress of these reforms in reducing disparities, improving access and continuity of care, and advancing behavioral health equity. As these reforms are still in early stages of implementation, this report provides important context for understanding existing disparities and tracking future progress.