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

Oct 24, 2025 - Nonetheless, in addition to conducting oversight, we recommend the Legislature adopt as many changes as possible into statute —even for those cases where such action is not legally required. Taking such action will better ensure that the administration, counties, and providers implement H.R 1 ’s provisions according to legislative intent.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5083

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - In April 2025, the Legislature took early action to provide cash flow support and supplemental appropriations to Medi ‑Cal in 2024 ‑25. The administration stated that increasing Medi ‑Cal costs were due to several factors, including increased utilization of high ‑cost anti ‑obesity drugs, increased enrollment of seniors and persons with disabilities following the
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

An Update on the Public Health Laboratory System After the Pandemic

Jun 12, 2025 - We also provide a framework for the Legislature to use to assess the capacity of the laboratory system and whether any capacity gaps warrant further action. Background The Public Health System What Is the Public Health System?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5056

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - Effects of State Budget Solutions Most Savings Come From Solutions Based on Immigration Status … The net multiyear savings from state budget solutions ($9.3  billion) reflect the combined effect of ongoing and one ‑time actions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5092

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Health

Oct 16, 2025 - Funds for the third entity (Youth Mental Health Academy) will support mental health profession-related training, summer internships, and other outreach activi ties for a cohort of high school students in Los Angeles.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5075

The 2024-25 California Spending Plan: Health

Sep 17, 2024 - Eliminates Health Insurance Program for High-Risk Patients. This year ’s health trailer bill legislation ends a longstanding state program called the Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP). Beginning in 1991, MRMIP provided health insurance benefits to high-risk individuals who could not purchase private insurance.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4930

The 2015-16 Budget: Major Features of the Adopted Plan (Health and Human Services)

Jun 19, 2015 - Provides Increased Funding for High –Cost Drugs. The budget package increases funding for high –cost drugs in the Department of Health Care Services by $61  million General Fund (on top of a base budget of $65  million General Fund) and the Department of State Hospitals by $6  million General Fund.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/3277

The 2021-22 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 10, 2021 - The Governor proposes immediate action to provide $2  billion in one-time grants to incentivize schools to offer in-person instruction for younger students and students with high needs, potentially as soon as February 16, 2021.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4309

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

Jan 13, 2025 - The  administration appears to share some of these concerns, noting recent job losses among high ‑wage workers and the risks posed by the inherent volatility of tax receipts tied to stock market gains.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

The 2022-23 Budget: Health Care Access and Affordability

Feb 23, 2022 - In addition, potential actions taken to improve affordability in Covered California would reduce health costs for impacted households. However, various issues regarding access to comprehensive health coverage and affordability of health care would remain even if the above actions were all taken.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4560