The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - Over the past several years, the Legislature has taken actions intended to mitigate barriers to service access and utilization. In 2016, the Legislature appropriated ongoing funding for the Disparity Funds Program, which awards grants to RCs and community ‑based organizations for strategies to reduce disparities in service authorizations, utilization, and spending.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

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

Jan 13, 2025 - Moreover, specific budgetary conditions occurring this year —including legislative action taken last year to withdraw more in reserves this year —make interpretation of the budget position more complex.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4951

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

Oct 24, 2025 - Taken together, H.R.  1 ’s changes to Medicaid will reduce federal funding for California. Some of these reductions will have direct effects on the state ’s General Fund, either by increasing or reducing costs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5083

The 2025-26 Budget: Health Care Access and Information

Feb 20, 2025 - Over the years, the state has taken a number of steps to help reduce the cost of prescription drugs in state programs and to consumers. One key step was the creation of the CalRx program at HCAI. Established by legislation in 2020 ( Chapter 207 of 2020 [SB 852, Pan] ), the program aims to reduce the cost of drugs by expanding the availability of low‑cost generics in the market.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4979

The 2025-26 Budget: Medi-Cal Pharmacy Spending

Apr 3, 2025 - (Our methodology largely follows the approach taken by other health policy organizations, such as the Kaiser Family Foundation .) Gross Spending —State Drug Utilization Data. Under federal law, states must report to the federal government quarterly drug utilization information in their Medicaid programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5026

Issues That Could Impact Californians' Health Care Coverage in 2023 and Beyond

Dec 16, 2022 - Various steps have been taken to mitigate the likelihood that these enrollees lose access to health care coverage when redeterminations resume. Pursuant to Chapter  845 of 2019 (S B  260 , Hurtado), the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and Covered California have developed a system to streamline the transition from Medi ‑Cal to Covered California for individuals no longer income ‑eligible for Medi ‑Cal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4654

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

The 2024-25 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Feb 14, 2024 - Many of the budget solutions are similar to those taken last year and mostly are one time. Below, we describe each proposal. Continues Provider Payment Deferral . The  Governor proposes to withdraw the scheduled end of a two ‑week deferral in fee ‑for ‑service payments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4838

The 2024-25 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Feb 13, 2024 - The  administration has taken various actions to start implementing the Master Plan for Aging, such as investing funds to construct or rehabilitate senior housing facilities through the California Department of Social Services ’ Community Care Expansion Program, as well as expanding food benefit eligibility for older adults as part of Food4All.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4837

The 2023-24 Budget: Whole Child Model Expansion

May 5, 2023 - Beyond any action taken in this budget cycle, we recommend the Legislature begin assessing a more long-term and statewide approach to providing CCS services. For example, the Legislature could weigh the trade-offs of expanding the Whole Child Model to all counties versus continuing the historical approach of providing services outside of Medi-Cal managed care.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4767