Assemblymember Marie WaldronSpecial to Valley NewsI have long been an advocate for expanded access to mental health care as a way to restore lives and to save taxpayer dollars by reducing costs associated with treatment, along with many related societal costs including homelessness and public safety.This session I have joined Senator Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco) to co-author Senate Bill 221. The bill closes loopholes in current law by ensuring that HMOs and health insurers provide patients with timely follow-up care, avoiding lengthy delays in treatment that often lead to longer recovery times, worse overall outcomes and even increased mortality rates.Current regulations fail to provide timely access standards for follow up with caregivers such as social workers or therap
