About Medi-Cal
More than 15 million Californians rely on Medi-Cal, the state’s version of the federal program known as Medicaid, for health insurance. The program acts as California’s health care coverage safety net, with those on Medi-Cal often living 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.
Download Private Hospital-Directed Payment Encounter Files by Feb. 5
What’s happening: On Dec. 26, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) uploaded three new hospital-directed payment encounter files, available via the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) site. The SFTP site is not intended for long-term storage, so files will be deleted Feb. 5.
2026-27 State Budget to be Released Tomorrow
What’s happening: Governor Gavin Newsom will release his proposed budget for 2026-27 tomorrow, kicking off the state budget process and legislative budget hearings that will continue until the budget is finalized this summer.
Key Messages: California’s Health Care System Is on Life Support
The risk of losing access to critical health care services for Californians has never been greater.
Infographic: Financial Instability
DHCS Requests Comments on Plan Policies for SNF, Subacute Authorization and Payment by Friday
What is happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is requesting feedback by Dec. 5 on draft all plan letters addressing updated policies for Medi-Cal managed care plan (MCP) coverage of skilled-nursing, subacute care , and intermediate care facility services.
DHCS Releases Private Hospital-Directed Payment Encounter Files — Download by Jan. 5
What’s happening: On Nov. 21, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) uploaded three new hospital-directed payment encounter files, available via the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) site. The SFTP site is not intended for long-term storage, so files will be deleted Jan. 5, 2026.
Newsom Administration Proposal to Use Proposition 35 Funds to Balance State Budget Thwarts Will of California Voters
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
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.”
Issue Brief: All Californians Deserve Timely Access to Medical Care
Current California standards require health plans to ensure that their enrollees have timely access to medical care — such as being within 15 miles or a 30-minute drive from a hospital. Unfortunately, many people covered by Medi-Cal still face significant hurdles to access care.
Key Messages: All Californians Deserve Timely Access to Medical Care
California standards that ensure timely access to care for Medi-Cal enrollees will expire in less than a year.