New CA legislation seeks to tie language, culture to Latinos’ mental health care
Good morning and welcome to the AM Alert!
MENTAL HEALTH FOR LATINOS
Via Amelia Wu...
Legislators introduced a new bill in Congress that addresses cultural and language needs within mental health services. Exemplified by support from different states, the Mental Health Act for Latinos will use culturally specific resources, education materials and outreach programs.
“I see how important it is for people not only to have access to mental health care, but also to be able to get the culturally competent care that meets them where they are,” Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon, said in a press release.
According to a press release from Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration will be required by this bill to develop and implement mental health outreach and education specifically for Latino and Hispanic communities. Additionally, SAMHSA will need to report annually to Congress detailing the outcomes of these efforts.
In 2023, only about 48% of Hispanic adults who needed mental health services received treatment, according to the one-pager on the bill.
“As we tackle the rise in mental health challenges, it’s critical that we acknowledge the distinct needs of our diverse communities and develop solutions that meet people where they are,” Padilla said in the press release.
In February, Padilla also introduced the EARLY Minds Act to address the youth mental health crisis.
“Mental health is a challenge that many Americans bear silently— but they shouldn’t have to,” Rep. Nanette Barragan, D-Long Beach, said in the press release.
POLL: MORE TRUST STATE OVER FEDS ON ENVIRONMENT
Via Molly Gibbs...
Californians trust state and local governments the most when it comes to environmental issues according to a new statewide survey from the Public Policy Institute of California.
The state government was trusted most, by 45% of respondents, to handle environmental issues. Local government was trusted most by 32% of respondents, just 18% trusted the federal government most.
“About half approve of Governor Newsom and the California Legislature,” said Mark Baldassare, PPIC Statewide Survey director and Miller Chair in Public Policy. While “about one in four approve of President Trump and the U.S. Congress when it comes to their handling of environmental issues.”
Californians identified wildfires, forest fires and loss of forests as the top environmental issue in the state. Most said wildfires are a serious threat to their personal and economic wellness in their region, with those in the inland empire being the most concerned.
When it comes to preventing and recovering from wildfires, 63% of Californians don’t think state and local governments are doing enough. Perception of the government’s preparedness for extreme weather events reinforces this view.
▪ Only 19% say they have a great deal of confidence in government’s readiness to respond extreme weather events.
▪ 58% say they have only some confidence.
▪ 23% say they have hardly any confidence.
Most are in favor of the state’s policies that set goals for renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions and the Cap and Invest program. This aligns with global warming being identified as the second biggest environmental issue facing the state — tied with government over regulation.
BONTA AND NURSES UNITE
Via Amelia Wu...
California nurses are now free from agreements that asked them to repay costly training expenses if they left a hospital within two years of employment.
Training repayment agreement provisions, or TRAPs, act as stay-or-pay contracts that typically ask new graduate nurses to take on an average of $10,000, said John Pasha at a press conference.
“With the threat of the TRAP hanging over us, nurses are chilled from speaking out, from advocating for our patients, for being active in our union or simply from finding better work,” said Pasha with the California Nurses Association and a registered nurse in the cardiovascular intensive care unit.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced in San Francisco a $1.53 million settlement agreement with HCA Healthcare and Health Trust Workforce Solutions. As one of the nation’s largest hospital systems, HCA was under investigation for several years by Bonta and attorneys general from Colorado and Nevada.
“We will continue to be vigilant when it comes to TRAPs and any other unlawful approaches that harm workers,” Bonta said. “It’s one of the core values at the California Department of Justice.”
The California Nurses Association co-sponsored Assembly Bill 692, which bans employment contracts requiring workers to pay employers a debt if they leave, regardless of reason.
“We need more leaders at the state and local level who are unafraid of taking on powerful healthcare corporations like HCA,” said SEIU 121 RN Vice President Monique Hernandez, who is a registered nurse and a nurse educator. “Their support is even more crucial now as our entire healthcare system is under attack.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“No one in our nation should be without a place to call home — and our work doesn’t stop until every single Californian has a roof over their head. We have a moral obligation to assist every single Californian in need.”
— Gavin Newsom, in a X post
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