County supervisors approve funding for mental health care initiatives.

In a decisive move amid looming uncertainties surrounding Medicaid funding, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has voted to enhance mental health services within the region. On Tuesday, the board unanimously approved proposals that will add approximately million to the fiscal 2026 budget, aimed at bolstering both inpatient and outpatient care options.

This initiative includes the addition of the equivalent of 30 behavioral health beds at Paradise Valley Hospital in National City, effectively doubling the capacity allocated for San Diego County Medi-Cal beneficiaries. In tandem with this, the Board has approved contracts for a new partial hospitalization program designed to accommodate 35 patients, as well as for expanded board and care bed capacity and chemical dependency treatment facilities.

Luke Bergmann, the county’s director of behavioral health services, provided an overview of the progress of the “Optimal Care Pathways” initiative that his team introduced in 2022. This meeting marked Bergmann’s final presentation to the board before he transitions to a new role in the private sector, allowing him more time with his family. He highlighted that while many of the initiatives are expansions of current programs, others, such as the partial hospitalization program, represent entirely new services, marking a significant milestone. This program is expected to be the first of its kind accessible to Medi-Cal recipients in the county, offering critical day treatment services while allowing patients to return home overnight.

Further enhancing the county’s mental health landscape, plans to expand a partnership with the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians are underway, increasing treatment slots for an existing opioid treatment program. The current collaboration has grown from 150 to 200 treatment slots, with discussions ongoing to increase this number to 250.

Additionally, state funding of million will support the expansion of board and care facilities, which serve individuals transitioning back to the community after receiving intensive treatment. Recent additions have led to a total of 475 board and care slots, nearly doubling the capacity since the launch of the Pathways program in 2022.

Despite the approved budget allocations, the board acknowledged concerns regarding the future of Medicaid funding, which could be impacted by potential federal policy changes. The county has allocated 0 million in expected Medi-Cal funding for the current fiscal year, with projections for even greater support with a new Medicaid waiver program anticipated for the following year. Nevertheless, the board’s focus remained on moving forward with the planned investments, emphasizing the importance of continued support for mental health services.

As the board bid farewell to Bergmann, they also welcomed acting director Nadia Privara, who has been involved with the county’s behavioral health operations since 2014. Comments from board members highlighted both the progress made under Bergmann’s leadership and the continued commitment to enhancing mental health resources in San Diego County, despite the challenging landscape of healthcare funding.

These developments mark a noteworthy commitment by local officials to ensure that mental health services remain robust and accessible to the community, reflecting an ongoing prioritization of public health amid fiscal uncertainties.