The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - One possible reason for our higher estimate is that our model reflects not only disenrollment among current enrollees, but also reduced enrollment flows over time and a persistent risk of disenrollment among eligible individuals due to added administrative burden.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - The department stated that its budget projections for 2026 ‑27 do not incorporate any potential added costs due to the changes in H.R 1. Will the department be able to determine whether its costs increase in the future due to H.R. 1?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

Considering Medi-Cal in the Midst of a Changing Fiscal and Policy Landscape

Oct 24, 2025 - …But Potentially With Added Complexity. Adding more flexibilities also could come with the potential downside of more complexity for beneficiaries and counties. For example, exempting high unemployment counties from work requirements could create more volatility.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5083

The 2023-24 Budget: Whole Child Model Expansion

May 5, 2023 - Absent this proposal, these plans would administer the Whole Child Model in some of their counties and not in others, potentially adding to the complexity of administering services to their beneficiaries.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4767

Mental Health Services Act: Proposed Bond to Fund Behavioral Health Facilities and Veterans Housing

Aug 17, 2023 - After selling bonds, the state makes annual payments over the following few decades until the bonds are paid off. (This is similar to the way a family pays off a mortgage.) Although when compared with the pay-as-you-go approach, the up-front cost to the state of bond financing a project is significantly lower, overall costs are higher due to the interest on the debt.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4790

Building California’s Behavioral Health Infrastructure: Progress Update and Opportunities for the Proposition 1 Bond

Feb 5, 2025 - These facilities provide a safe place where individuals can wait for the effects of drugs and/or alcohol to wear off while being monitored for medical issues. Sobering centers can provide opportunities for handoffs to SUD treatment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4954

Mental Health Services Act: Impact of Governor's Proposal on Funding for Children and Youth

Aug 10, 2023 - We evaluate which proposed categories counties ’ 2021-22 spending would fall under, which in turn helps to estimate whether counties may need to spend less or more in those categories to meet the proposed funding targets.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4786

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - With no further loan planned under current law in 2026 ‑27, the General Fund will need to cover costs moving forward (the current state spending plan envisions gradually paying off this loan over more than a decade).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5092

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Health

Oct 16, 2025 - The administration also plans to implement step therapy, in which Medi-Cal members are first directed to start using lower-cost alternatives before turning to more expensive prescriptions. The administration also indicates it plans to explore various other utilizat ion management methods.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5075

The 2025-26 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2025 - In addition, it used more tax funds to offset General Fund spending on Medi ‑Cal, in turn reducing planned spending on provider rate increases. These solutions yielded General Fund savings of $11  billion through 2025 ‑26.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951