The new law addresses serious problems with nursing home licensing in California, but some elder care advocates say it misses a chance to protect residents and consumers.

The union representing 2,000 Kaiser Northern California mental health works announced plans for an open-ended strike this month, citing high workloads and long waits for patients.

The new federal number is billed as an alternative to 911 for people experiencing mental health emergencies. A bill would allow California to fund call centers with new fees on phone lines.

The Newsom administration plans to spend $4.4 billion addressing mental health needs among young people. But will it come soon enough?

Shlomo Rechnitz is the Los Angeles-based, multi-billionaire owner of Brius, which owns two nursing homes in Santa Clara County, Cupertino Healthcare & Wellness Center and San Jose Healthcare & Wellness Center, plus five in Alameda County and one in Contra Costa County.

The California Department of Public Health blames problems at nursing homes on staffing shortages, turnover, training and pandemic pressures at hearing at the Capitol.