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

Oct 24, 2025 - Notwithstanding many Medi ‑Cal cost pressures from H.R.  1 facing the Legislature, the General Fund already is expected to face a deficit in 2026 ‑27 and subsequent fiscal years. The  2026 ‑27 deficit, projected to be $17  billion as of June  2025, was estimated before Congress passed H.R.  1.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5083

The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - In addition, the DDS system faces a changing fiscal and policy landscape, including the implementation of H.R. 1 provisions affecting federal Medicaid eligibility and funding that warrants oversight.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - Some UIS adults face legal barriers to employment, which can narrow the set of pathways to meet the community engagement requirement. In addition, certain UIS adults who lose full‑scope coverage for noncompliance could have more limited options to regain coverage, given the state’s freeze on new full‑scope enrollment for groups like undocumented adults.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

Considering Medi-Cal in the Midst of a Changing Fiscal and Policy Landscape [Publication Details]

Oct 24, 2025 - We describe the changing fiscal and policy landscape for Medi-Cal resulting from Congressional enactment of H.R. 1 and the key issues facing the Legislature.  See our companion infographic
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5083

The 2025-26 Budget: MCO Tax and Proposition 35

Feb 26, 2025 - Figure 6 Legislature Faces Two Key Sets of Oversight Issues Implementation of Augmentations When will the department begin implementing augmentations? How will the department structure the augmentations?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4992

The 2025-26 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook

Nov 20, 2024 - The Legislature faces two key issues as a result of these changes, described below. Higher General Fund Costs. Proposition  35 likely will result in more General Fund costs in the budget window (through 2025 ‑26).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4941

The 2023-24 Budget: Overview of the Governor's Budget

Jan 13, 2023 - Both our office and the administration project that the state faces a manageable budget problem this year. The Governor addresses the budget problem primarily with spending ‑related solutions, as shown in the figure below.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4662

The 2024-25 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Feb 14, 2024 - Department and Managed Care Plans Could Face Hurdles to Implement Increases. Much of the proposal would require substantial changes to the way Medi ‑Cal pays providers both in fee ‑for ‑service and managed care.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4838

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - Beyond baseline spending trends, Medi ‑Cal is facing a series of upcoming policy changes. The state enacted many of these changes in the 2025 ‑26 Budget Act in June 2025 as budget solutions intended to slow growth in Medi ‑Cal spending.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5092

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

Feb 5, 2025 - Also, at least $540  million will go to projects focused on children and youth, who data show to face particularly great behavioral health challenges. Addressing BHCIP ’s outcomes for other populations of concern, however, is more difficult.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4954