The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - Like community engagement requirements, more frequent renewals are also expected to increase administrative workload for county eligibility systems, at least in the short run. Federal Changes for Certain Immigrant Groups Create State Fiscal Pressure.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

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

Oct 24, 2025 - Impact to Counties Counties Will Face Costs From New Workload Demands … Counties are the primary administrators of eligibility determinations in Medi ‑Cal and will be responsible for implementing many of the eligibility changes in H.R.  1.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5083

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis [Publication Details]

Mar 2, 2026 - In this report, we analyze the Governor’s budget for Medi-Cal, with a focus on base spending trends, changes to provider taxes, implementation of new H.R. 1 rules, oversight over enacted budget solutions, and considerations for identifying additional savings in Medi-Cal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5146

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook

Nov 19, 2025 - These effects, however, depend on the way that the state and counties will implement the new requirements, which is unknown  today. Spending on Emergency Care for Immigrants Has Fluctuated Notably. As part of a broader reporting requirement, the state annually reports to the federal government on the cost of covering emergency care for undocumented immigrants.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5092

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 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Fiscal Outlook [Publication Details]

Nov 19, 2025 - This brief summarizes our annual outlook for General Fund spending on Medi-Cal.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5092

The 2025-26 Budget: MCO Tax and Proposition 35

Feb 26, 2025 - The 2025-26 Budget: MCO Tax and Proposition 35 3.6 MCO = managed care organization. Continues Funding 2024 Rate Increase … Though the MCO tax spending plan has changed over time, a few augmentations have remained throughout each plan.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4992

The 2021-22 Budget: Behavioral Health: Medi-Cal Student Services Funding Proposal

Feb 17, 2021 - In California, counties provide this comprehensive set of services through SMHS. Children ’s Eligibility for SMHS Determined by Both Counties and Managed Care Plans. As discussed earlier, county behavioral health is responsible for providing SMHS and managed care plans are responsible for providing non ‑SMHS.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4377

The 2021-22 Budget: Behavioral Health: Continuum Infrastructure Funding Proposal

Feb 17, 2021 - These sources include ( 1)  d edicated vehicle license fee and sales tax revenue streams known as “realignment ” funds, ( 2)  r evenues from the Mental Health Services Fund (MHSF) —funded through a 1  p ercent tax on incomes over $ 1  m illion, and ( 3)  f ederal funding accessed through Medi ‑Cal (California ’s state Medicaid program).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4379

The 2021-22 Budget: Assessment of CalHEERS Dashboard

Mar 25, 2021 - CalHEERS refers individuals determined by the system to be likely eligible for Medi ‑Cal to county eligibility workers for final eligibility determination. County staff then use both CalHEERS and the Statewide Automated Welfare System (SAWS) to determine final program eligibility.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4408