County mental health services: veterans.

Existing law contains provisions governing the operation and financing of community mental health services for the mentally disordered in every county through locally administered and locally controlled community mental health programs. Existing law further provides that, to the extent resources are available, the primary goal of the use of funds deposited in the mental health account of the local health and welfare trust fund should be to serve specified target populations, including, among others, California veterans in need of mental health services who meet specified eligibility requirements. Existing law prohibits a county from denying county mental health services to an eligible veteran based solely on his or her status as a veteran. Existing law requires a county to refer a veteran to the county veterans service office, if any, to determine the veteran's eligibility for, and the availability of, mental health services provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal health care provider. This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would simplify the process and reduce the burden placed on veterans seeking mental health services and require the counties to cooperate with federal agencies, as specified, to seek reimbursement after providing mental health services to veterans. This bill would require a county to provide mental health services to any veteran who requests treatment, without regard to his or her status as a veteran or eligibility for health services provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal health care provider. The bill would specify that a veteran seeking treatment by a county is not required to first seek health services provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any other federal health care provider before receiving treatment from the county.