The California Department of Healthcare Services contributed $40 million in funding to the Public Health Institute's CalBridge Behavioral Health Navigation Program, which facilitates access to healthcare for those struggling with addiction.
The program will make addiction treatment accessible from every hospital emergency department in the state, according to a May 2 press release from the Public Health Institute.
Hospitals will be granted up to $120,000 to place navigators in emergency departments to address substance use disorders as a treatable medical emergency, to identify patients who can benefit from initiating medication for addiction treatment and to identify those in need of mental health services.