Source

CalMatters

13 stories

Newsom Signs Limited CARE Court Fixes, Bigger Overhaul Bills Die

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills making incremental changes to CARE Court, the state's mental health court program launched in 2023 to connect severely mentally ill residents with treatment. One law lets more first responders refer people into the program; another allows family members to share treatment-relevant information with care teams. Two more sweeping bills that would have created pathways from CARE Court into involuntary conservatorship died in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in August over cost concerns and insufficient data on program performance. State data through June 2025 show CARE Court has reached far fewer people than projected, with only 517 of 2,216 petitions resulting in care agreements.

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·5d ago

California Governor Candidates Offer Vague Health Cost Plans Ahead of Medi-Cal Cuts

California gubernatorial candidates Xavier Becerra (Democrat) and Steve Hilton (Republican) have each outlined broad health care affordability goals but have not detailed how they would pay for them, according to CalMatters. Becerra says he wants universal coverage and to cut administrative waste but has declined interview requests and specific policy questions. Hilton released a 'Working Class Health Care Guarantee' proposing price transparency and replacing part of Medi-Cal with personal health spending accounts, though it faces long odds in the Democrat-controlled legislature. The stakes are high for Medi-Cal enrollees, who face significant federal rule changes taking effect January 1 that are expected to cause coverage losses regardless of who wins the governor's race.</br>

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·16d ago

California Prop 36 Treatment Mandates Vary Widely by County, Leaving Gaps in Drug Treatment Access

Two years after California voters passed Proposition 36 requiring drug treatment for certain theft and drug offenses, counties are implementing treatment-mandated felony provisions inconsistently — with treatment durations ranging from three months in Ventura County to two years in San Luis Obispo County. Officials who supported the measure acknowledge gaps in the state's treatment infrastructure, with people waiting for services while charges remain pending. Defendants entering plea deals face challenges securing employment with felony convictions on record during court-mandated treatment periods that can extend well beyond residential program completion. The lack of state-funded treatment capacity and standardized implementation protocols has left some individuals the law intended to help falling through the cracks, according to state and local officials.

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·17d ago

California Poll Shows Tight Race on Billionaire Tax to Fund Medi-Cal Cuts

A Public Policy Institute of California poll finds 52% of likely voters support Proposition 40, which would impose a 5% one-time tax on billionaire assets to offset federal Medi-Cal cuts, but slim majorities also back two competing measures (Props. 41 and 42) that would nullify it. Under California law, if competing measures both pass, the one with the most yes votes prevails. The measure has divided labor and liberal groups, with Democratic leaders including gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra opposing it. Voters will decide in November 2026.

calmatters.org

Federal Policy·25d ago

Opinion Argues Medicaid Expansion Has Exceeded Original Intent, Calls for Cost Scrutiny

A political strategist argues that Medicaid has expanded beyond its originally intended population and calls for greater scrutiny of the program's costs and contribution to federal debt. The opinion piece frames Medicaid cuts as a fiscal necessity requiring balanced discussion of both programmatic impact and budgetary consequences. The piece does not announce specific policy changes or legislative proposals, but reflects ongoing debate over federal Medicaid spending amid budget negotiations. The perspective represents views likely to inform Congressional deliberations on Medicaid financing and eligibility policy.

calmatters.org

Managed Care·CA·25d ago

California Orders Health Net to Extend Assisted Living Benefits Through December After Termination Violations

California's Department of Health Care Services issued a corrective action plan requiring Health Net to extend assisted living and home care services for approximately 3,500 Medi-Cal members through December 31, 2026, after finding eight deficiencies in how the insurer handled benefit terminations. The state cited failures to submit transition plans, move members to appropriate care, and improper service denials that endangered vulnerable members. Health Net faces potential fines of $25,000 per member per day for non-compliance. The insurer, which operates Medi-Cal plans in 10 counties, still plans to end the optional CalAIM benefit in January 2027, leaving members at risk of nursing home placement or homelessness.

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·26d ago

California Expands Assisted Living Coverage in Rural Counties After Advocacy Push

California launched a pilot program expanding Medi-Cal coverage for assisted living facilities in select rural counties, following advocacy by a family member whose sister faced limited long-term care options. The program addresses gaps in California's current Medi-Cal structure, which typically excludes assisted living from covered services except in limited circumstances. The pilot applies to designated rural counties where nursing home access is constrained. The expansion reflects growing pressure on California to diversify institutional long-term care options beyond nursing facilities, particularly in underserved areas where beneficiaries have few alternatives.

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·57d ago

California Medicaid Cuts Threaten Hospital Finances and Private Insurance Costs

California is implementing cuts to its Medi-Cal program that will worsen financial losses at hospitals already operating in the red. The reductions will likely force hospitals to reduce services and shift costs to privately insured patients through higher rates. The changes affect California's Medicaid program, which covers over 15 million residents. Hospitals serving high Medicaid volumes face the most immediate operational and financial pressure, with potential ripple effects across the commercial insurance market as cost-shifting accelerates.

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·58d ago

California Medi-Cal Cuts Expected to Reduce Hospital Services, Raise Private Insurance Costs

California is implementing Medi-Cal budget cuts that will reduce hospital reimbursement rates. Hospitals already operating at negative margins on Medicaid patients will face additional financial strain. The cuts are expected to force service reductions and shift costs to privately insured patients through higher rates. The changes affect California's Medicaid program, which covers approximately 15 million beneficiaries through managed care plans and fee-for-service arrangements.

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·60d ago

California Medi-Cal Program Changes Prompt Beneficiary Outreach on Coverage Continuity

California's Medi-Cal program is undergoing changes that may affect some beneficiaries' coverage, though most enrollees will not be impacted. Beneficiaries are advised to update contact information with their county benefits office and monitor correspondence from county and state agencies to avoid unintended coverage loss. The guidance emphasizes the importance of maintaining current contact details to receive notices about eligibility determinations. State and county agencies are conducting outreach to prevent coverage disruptions during the transition.

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·60d ago

California Advises Medi-Cal Enrollees to Update Contact Information Amid Program Changes

California is advising Medi-Cal enrollees to update their contact information with county benefits offices as the program undergoes changes. Most enrollees will not see changes to their benefits, but the state is emphasizing the importance of monitoring mail from county and state agencies to ensure uninterrupted coverage. The guidance comes as the state works to manage transitions that could affect eligibility determination or benefit administration. Enrollees who fail to update contact information or respond to renewal notices risk coverage disruptions.

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·61d ago

California Reverses Medi-Cal Expansion Amid Budget Shortfalls and Federal Restrictions

California is reversing decades of health coverage expansion, rolling back Medi-Cal eligibility and benefits in response to state budget shortfalls and new federal restrictions. The changes affect millions of California Medi-Cal beneficiaries who gained coverage through previous expansions. The timing and specific scope of cuts are detailed in a CalMatters documentary examining impacts at a Los Angeles clinic. This represents a significant shift in the nation's largest state Medicaid program, affecting managed care plans, providers, and beneficiaries who previously gained coverage.

calmatters.org

State Policy·CA·67d ago

California Business Group Opposes November Ballot Measure on Billionaire Tax for Medi-Cal

A California business association leader is opposing a November 2026 ballot measure that would impose a tax on billionaires to address Medi-Cal funding shortfalls and rising living costs. The op-ed argues the measure would harm long-term economic growth despite potential short-term revenue gains. The ballot measure has not yet been voted on. This matters for California Medi-Cal stakeholders because the measure, if passed, could alter the state's Medicaid funding landscape and sustainability.

calmatters.org