The 2021-22 Budget: Analysis of the Governor’s Medi-Cal Telehealth Proposal

May 13, 2021 - The concept of covering telehealth services at the same payment rate as health care services provided in ‑person is known as “payment parity. ” A number of states have in place telehealth payment parity policies.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4430

Mental Health Services Act: Proposed Change in Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission’s Role

Jul 13, 2023 - These insights can be of value to the Legislature as it deliberates its preferred policy approach on mental health issues. Issues for Legislative Consideration Maintain MHSOAC ’s Authority Absent Compelling Justification for Governor ’s Proposal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4781

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - The Legislature could have greater insight into these spending drivers, as well as potential spending adjustments, if the department were to provide richer data. Four Key Factors Drive Spending in DDS.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - The  administration ’s stated rationale is to “maintain parity ” across the nonelderly, childless adults who are receiving full ‑scope Medi ‑Cal benefits. At  the same time, the administration has stated that verifying compliance for UIS adults using existing income data sources may be more challenging and that it would rely on information provided by the individual when available data are insufficient.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

The 2023-24 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Feb 15, 2023 - State Lacks Insight Into Drivers of These Disparities in Spending. One potential reason the ongoing equity grants have not yet addressed spending disparities is that they are not guided by a clear understanding of why such disparities exist.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4683

An Update on the Public Health Laboratory System After the Pandemic

Jun 12, 2025 - Although the state has some insight into federal and state sources of funding for public health laboratories, there are some gaps. Specifically, the state does not collect data on the share of 1991 realignment funds flowing to laboratories, nor does the state collect data on other funding sources —like fees or county funds —laboratories could receive.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5056

The 2020-21 Spending Plan: Health Budget and Policy

Oct 15, 2020 - Behavioral Health Parity Investigations. The spending plan includes $2.8  million (growing to $4.7  million in 2021 ‑22 and ongoing) from the Managed Care Fund for the Department of Managed Health Care to investigate health plans for compliance with federal behavioral health parity requirements.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4281

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

Feb 5, 2025 - This platform provides behavioral health services to children and youth aged 25 and younger —regardless of payer source —through (1)  interactive exercises and games, (2)  automated screening and assessment tools, and (3)  direct services delivered by peers and coaches.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4954

Impact of COVID-19 on Health Care Access

May 7, 2021 - At a high level, our review of employment data provides some insight on how health care providers have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, additional data —particularly related to provider finances —is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of which health care provider types are in most need of relief.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4426

The 2021-22 Budget: Behavioral Health: Community Care Demonstration Project

Feb 19, 2021 - The administration has characterized the CCDP as a demonstration project, intended to help provide insight on the proposed program ’s effectiveness and the feasibility for statewide implementation. However, the administration is proposing to fund the CCDP on an ongoing basis prior to the state being able to make these assessments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4382