California Lobbyist Fund

During the 2024 Legislative session, CASP played a significant role in California legislation positively impacting autism service providers and consumers of behavioral health services. SAG leaders, CASP VP of Government Affairs, Mariel Fernandez, and Melissa Cortez, CASP's lobbyist,  met with numerous legislative offices and leadership from DHMC, DDS, and DHCS to discuss concerns impacting the field.

Led by Yvonne Bruinsma (CASP Board Member) and Michelle Heid (CASP Member), the California SAG regularly collaborates with community stakeholders, including CalABA. The SAG has determined that network adequacy and unsustainable payer reimbursement rates are primary concerns. (For an overview of the work of the SAG, please see the California Advocacy page.)

Although the state recognizes that behavioral and mental health providers in California are struggling and that the provider network to serve its citizens is inadequate, the state has failed to include ABA services among several recent rate increases for other mental and behavioral health services.  

In 2024, we made significant steps towards a more sustainable Medi-Cal benefit, including consistent policy requirements and publicly available, sustainable rates. With Melissa's assistance, the California SAG leaders developed and implemented a strategic plan to complete the steps necessary to achieve the SAG's overall goal by July 2025.

The anticipated cost to retain Melissa through July 2025 is $45,000. 

Please complete this short form by December 15, 2024 to indicate how much your organization will be able to contribute in 2025.

Melissa has been retained through December 15, 2024. 

Learn more about the fund and how the SAG will work with the lobbyist.

Contribute to the Fund

Updated 10/7/2024 at 2:00 p.m. ET