About Medi-Cal
More than 15 million Californians rely on Medi-Cal, the state’s health care coverage safety net, for health insurance. Two-thirds of those on Medi-Cal are people of color and often live in communities with a lack of adequate health care providers. Without significant investments to support providers that deliver health care to California’s most vulnerable, millions living in rural and underserved areas are in jeopardy.
Medi-Cal is California’s version of the federal program known as Medicaid. To learn more about CHA’s work to protect Medicaid, visit our federal resource page.
Texas Secures Major Legal Victory in Provider Tax Dispute, Implications for California Not Yet Known
What’s happening: In a favorable ruling last week, a Texas district court vacated a set of policies from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that bar private provider arrangements from redistributing Medicaid funding in connection with provider tax programs.
DHCS Shares Additional Information for Beneficiaries on Upcoming Medi-Cal Changes
What’s happening: Last month, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released a Medi-Cal Eligibility Division Information Letter that includes an FAQ document on upcoming changes to Medi-Cal coverage for Californians without satisfactory immigration status, along with a letter that will be sent to impacted Californians in November.
State Agencies Respond to New Law Protecting Access to Vaccines in California
What’s happening: Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 144, which aims to protect access to vaccines in California.
New Summary Shares Key Provisions of FFY 2026 IPPS Final Rule
What’s happening: CHA has issued a summary detailing the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) final rule.
H.R.1 Implications and Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Overview
DHCS to Solicit Feedback on CalAIM Managed Long-Term Services and Supports, Duals Integration at Sept. 24 Workgroup
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will convene the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Duals Integration Workgroup on Sept. 24 from noon to 2 p.m. (PT).
As Federal Shutdown Looms, CHA Elevates Hospital Priorities
As federal lawmakers scramble to pass a funding measure that would avert a government shutdown when the current spending plan expires Sept. 30, several key issues affecting hospitals are in play.
CMS Issues Preliminary Guidance on Medicaid State-Directed Payments
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued preliminary guidance regarding the implementation of certain state-directed payment (SDP) provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
Newsom Administration Proposal to Use Proposition 35 Funds to Balance State Budget Thwarts Will of California Voters
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
SACRAMENTO (May 14, 2025) — “Just two days after a congressional committee released a federal budget proposal that would hollow out Californians’ health care services through drastic Medicaid cuts, the state’s May budget revision proposal piles on. The state would fill its spending gap by taking $1.6 billion from resources that voters directed to Medi-Cal providers and protecting access to care,” said Carmela Coyle, President & CEO of the California Hospital Association.
Medicaid Cuts Will Hurt All Californians
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
SACRAMENTO (May 12, 2025) — “The legislation proposed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to enact massive Medicaid cuts is a devastating blow that will be felt by all who need hospital care,” said Carmela Coyle, President & CEO of the California Hospital Association. “Cuts of this magnitude cannot be absorbed. Hospitals will have no other choice but to reduce patient care services or, in the worst cases, close entirely. That means care is lost for everyone — children, seniors, privately insured people — no matter what type of health insurance coverage you have.”