The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - The funding to implement the rate study ’s recommended rate models was phased in beginning in 2021 ‑22, ramping up to current levels by 2024 ‑25. The increased funding was intended to support a sufficient supply of quality service providers by raising funding levels for providers via increased rates.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - Recommendation Treat Administration ’s Assumptions as Starting Point, but Begin Considering Other Approaches for Health Plan Tax. In light of what is known to date about the new federal rules, we recommend the Legislature treat the administration ’s assumptions around the health plan tax and private hospital fee as a reasonable starting point.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

The 2025-26 California Spending Plan: Health

Oct 16, 2025 - Whereas previous law generally required providers, schools, and other groups to follow current federal recommendations, the legislation creates a new baseline. Specifically, the legislation establishes the federal recommendations in place in January 1, 2025 as the starting point.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5075

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

Oct 24, 2025 - Given the complexity of these questions, we recommend the Legislature begin early conversations about its priorities during next year ’s hearings, even before all of the H.R.  1 changes have gone into effect.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5083

The 2024-25 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Feb 14, 2024 - Recommendations Focus on Several Key Principles. Given the many issues and policy trade ‑offs raised by the proposal, we recommend the Legislature begin thinking about its plans for the MCO tax package.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4838

Enhancing Federal Financial Participation for Consumers Served by the Department of Developmental Services

Nov 9, 2021 - Chapter 37 o f 2011 (A B 104 , Committee on Budget) added a new requirement that upon intake and assessment for RC services, the consumer must provide a copy of their health benefit card, in part to allow RCs to maximize federal waiver and 1915(i) SPA reimbursements among those enrolled in Medi ‑Cal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4471

The 2024-25 Budget: The MCO Tax Package at May Revision

May 22, 2024 - It then provides our initial assessment and recommendations. Bottom Line. We find the proposed increase to the MCO tax to be reasonable in concept. To fully assess the proposed increase, we recommend the Legislature direct the administration to provide (1)  more information on the new tax rates and (2)  analysis demonstrating the increase meets federal rules.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4905

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

Jan 13, 2025 - We recommend the Legislature maintain last year ’s momentum by developing a plan for addressing the budget problems on the horizon. The underlying budget dynamics today are particularly challenging for three reasons.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

The 2023-24 Budget: Whole Child Model Expansion

May 5, 2023 - Recommendations Cautiously Weigh Proposal and Consider Deferring Action. Given the timing of the release of the Whole Child Model evaluation (just a few months before budget closeout) and the outstanding issues, we recommend the Legislature act cautiously on this proposal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4767

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - We recommend reading this brief in conjunction with two other recent LAO reports. The first — The 2026‑27 Budget: California’s Fiscal Outlook —summarizes our overall outlook for the state’s General Fund.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5092