The 2025-26 Budget: Understanding Recent Increases in the Medi-Cal Senior Caseload

Mar 6, 2025 - Based on data available on the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Open Data Portal, the increases have continued through at least December 2024 (the last month of data available as of publication of this report).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5010

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

Feb 5, 2025 - Insufficient capacity in behavioral health facilities can negatively impact individuals receiving or in need of care, providers, and government agencies. For example, RAND found that the shortage in adult inpatient mental health beds results in occupancy rates that are higher than generally accepted levels, long wait lists, facilities unable to transfer patients to settings of more appropriate levels of care, and excessive patient stays in hospital emergency departments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4954

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Health [Publication Details]

Oct 22, 2021 - The spending plan provides $33.7 billion General Fund for health programs. This is an increase of $6.7 billion, or 25 percent, compared to the revised 2020‑21 spending level. This year-over-year increase primarily is due to significant growth in projected General Fund spending in Medi-Cal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/4465

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Health

Oct 22, 2021 - Provides Funding to CHHS Agency for Certain Components of Initiative. As discussed earlier in the CHHS Agency section of this post, the spending plan provides $25  million one-time General Fund in 2021 ‑22 to the OSG for a campaign focused on raising awareness of ACEs and toxic stress.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4465

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

Jul 13, 2023 - In order to evaluate county spending and performance, the commission is authorized to obtain data from state agencies and counties to perform independent analyses on the programs supported by MHSA funding.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4781

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

Aug 17, 2023 - For example, while we understand that the administration plans to base grant eligibility on recent housing and behavioral health programs, the statutory proposal is silent on what types of entities, such as public agencies and private entities, could receive grants from the proceeds of the bond.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4790

The 2024-25 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Feb 13, 2024 - We recommend that the Legislature ask DDS to provide more information about its plans for collaboration across state agencies. Questions to ask the administration could include: Which state agencies and departments would be involved in the development and i mplementation of the Master  Plan?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4837

Climate Change Impacts Across California - Health

Apr 5, 2022 - In particular, the Legislature could require that the expertise in the state ’s health agencies is being used to inform the design of climate adaptation programs and regulations in other agencies that might lack such expertise.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4580

The 2021-22 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

May 17, 2021 - CAC = California Arts Council; CalVet = California Department of Veterans Affairs; CDE = California Department of Education; CDFA = California Department of Food and Agriculture; CDI = California Department of Insurance; CDT = California Department of Technology; SOC = Security Operations Center; IT = information technology; CMD = California Military Department; CPUC = California Public Utilities
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432/6

The 2021-22 Budget: Initial Comments on the Governor’s May Revision

May 17, 2021 - CalEPA = California Environmental Protection Agency; CalFire = California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection; CalRecycle = California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery; CARB = California Air Resources Board; ZEV = zero ‑emission vehicle; CCC = California Conservation Corps; CEC = California Energy Commission; CNRA = California Natural Resources
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4432/7