The 2026-27 Budget: Department of Developmental Services

Mar 13, 2026 - The department stated that its budget projections for 2026 ‑27 do not incorporate any potential added costs due to the changes in H.R 1. Will the department be able to determine whether its costs increase in the future due to H.R. 1?
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5157

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - These payments will now be set at the comparable rate paid by Medicare, rather than the average rate paid by private health plans. This lower limit indirectly affects certain provider taxes, as some states —including California —use their provider taxes to help pay for these directed  payments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

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

Oct 24, 2025 - …But Potentially With Added Complexity. Adding more flexibilities also could come with the potential downside of more complexity for beneficiaries and counties. For example, exempting high unemployment counties from work requirements could create more volatility.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5083

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - Prior to H.R. 1, federal rules limited managed care payments to hospitals at the average rate paid in the commercial market. H.R. 1 reduces this limit down to the rates paid in the federal Medicare program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5092

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

Mar 6, 2025 - In the paragraphs that follow, we provide our analysis that results in ou r estimate of at least 165,000 seniors being added due to eligibility expansions since 2020. (As a consequence of this estimate, it follows naturally that we estimate up to 60,000  seniors being added due to the effects of continuous coverage, the unwinding, and unwinding flexibilities, for a total increase of 225,000 seniors due to policy changes.)
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 - Strategies to do so have included expanding the behavioral health workforce; adding benefits and increasing rates in Medi ‑Cal; and increasing capacity through managed care plans, schools, and in other  settings.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4954

The 2022-23 California Spending Plan: Health

Oct 24, 2022 - Beginning January 1, 2023, Doula services will be added as a preventative service in Medi-Cal. The spending plan includes $377,000 General Fund ($974,000 total funds) for this benefit. Reduce Medi-Cal Premiums to Zero.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4642

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

Aug 17, 2023 - Grant recipients would be required to operate the facilities and units added by the bond for at least 30 years. The proposal is silent on the types of entities that would be eligible to receive grants.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4790

The 2023-24 Budget: Whole Child Model Expansion

May 5, 2023 - Absent this proposal, these plans would administer the Whole Child Model in some of their counties and not in others, potentially adding to the complexity of administering services to their beneficiaries.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4767

Enhancing Federal Financial Participation for Consumers Served by the Department of Developmental Services—An Interim Update

Apr 19, 2021 - If the consumer (or parent/guardian/legal representative) chose not to enroll in Medi-Cal when eligible, they would have been required to pay the RC the equivalent of what Medicai d would have paid for RC-coordinated services.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4415