Senate Passes Social Worker MPN Bill

The California Senate unanimously passed a bill that would allow licensed clinical social workers to join medical provider networks. The Senate on Monday voted 36-0 to pass SB 1002, by Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge. Proponents say the bill would allow licensed clinical social workers to join MPNs and assist with an expected increase in mental health claims. According to a bill analysis, the comp system is already dealing with a growing number of mental health claims, and the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to exacerbate the trend. Licensed clinical social workers could help ...