January 9, 2026

January Budget’s Elimination of Statewide Mobile Crisis Benefit Undermines Progress on Behavioral Health, Homelessness 

For Immediate Release 
January 9, 2026
Contact: Katie Orr 
Phone: 619-209-1532
Email: Katie@paschalroth.com

This ill-conceived change will lead to more unsafe situations for those struggling with behavioral health issues and decrease support for families 

Sacramento, CA – The County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA) released the following statement from CBHDA Executive Director Michelle Doty Cabrera on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2026- 2027 Budget Proposal:

“The Mobile Crisis Benefit for Medi-Cal is a vital tool for counties working to connect people in mental health and substance use crises with treatment, and ultimately housing and stability. Trained to deescalate volatile situations while offering treatment and support options rather than arrest, mobile crisis support teams provide exactly what the public wants, and the state expects, of county public health.

“Converting mobile crisis to an optional, rather than statewide, benefit shifts state costs to local communities and risks elimination of this vital program and the 24/7 response Californians have come to rely on. In the brief time this program has been available state-wide, it has served as a lifeline for thousands of people, steering many into treatment instead of more costly criminal justice settings. 

“Reducing the availability of the Mobile Crisis Benefit eliminates a critical tool for connecting unhoused people struggling with mental illness or substance use disorder to services and housing, just as the Administration is touting counties’ progress on reducing the number of people on our streets. Elimination of this benefit will put pressure again on hospital emergency departments and result in more unnecessary law enforcement involvement in behavioral health crises. 

“Make no mistake, this is a significant cut to a proven and successful Medi-Cal benefit. We call on the Legislature to reject this proposal, which will open up new gaps in our safety net and leave families without an immediate answer to their crisis calls when a loved one is at risk. We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to continue the work of strengthening our behavioral health system.” 

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The County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California (CBHDA) is a nonprofit advocacy association representing the behavioral health directors from each of California’s 58 counties, as well as two cities (Berkeley and Tri-City).