What’s happening on health care in California in 2026?
The mounting cost of providing health care to millions of Californians is shaping up to be a top issue for state lawmakers in 2026. Deep federal cuts to the state’s Medi-Cal program could force lawmakers to make tough decisions about benefits and eligibility for more than 15 million enrollees and payments to the doctors who see them.
Lawmakers are also grappling with emerging artificial intelligence issues, the high cost of pharmaceuticals and the state’s continuing mental health crisis.
CalMatters health team:
- Editor: Molly Peterson, [email protected]
- Health Reporter Kristen Hwang, [email protected]
- Health Reporter Ana Ibarra, [email protected]
- Mental Health Reporter Jocelyn Wiener, [email protected]
Quick Facts
- Budget: State spending on health care is increasing, driven largely by increased enrollment and usage particularly among seniors. In 2025, lawmakers approved more than $6 billion in additional spending due to growth.
- Medi-Cal: More than a third of the population — about 15 million residents — are on Medi-Cal, also known as Medicaid, the insurance program for low income people.
- Federal impact: Policy changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act will result in millions of Californians losing health coverage. An estimated 2 million enrollees are expected to drop Medi-Cal and 400,000 Obamacare enrollees are expected to drop marketplace coverage.
- Insurance: California is 1 of 5 states that penalizes residents for not having health insurance.
Health Care Bills
In Focus
Here are all of the bills related health care that are being considered this years. Highlighted bills are identified by CalMatters as among the most significant this year.
AB 1540
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: LGBTQ+ youth.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: LGBTQ+ youth.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
AB 1671
Rural medical services grant program.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
Rural medical services grant program.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
AB 1876
Health care coverage: nondiscrimination.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
Health care coverage: nondiscrimination.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
Dental coverage. Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
View All
Key Players
Legislative Leaders
These are the key legislative leaders on health care as selected by CalMatters.
Caroline Menjivar
District 20, Van Nuys
Suzette Martinez Valladares
District 23, Lancaster
Scott Wiener
District 11, San Francisco
Mia Bonta
District 18, Oakland
Phillip Chen
District 59, Brea
Akilah Weber Pierson
District 39, San Diego
Shannon Grove
District 12, Bakersfield
Dawn Addis
District 30, San Luis Obispo
Joe Patterson
District 5, Rocklin
Non-Legislator leaders
These are the most active players on health care issues based on their testimony in hearings or recorded positions on bills.
Jedd Hampton, Ca. Assn. of Health Plans
Brandon Marchy, Ca. Medical Assn.
Michele Perrault, Ca. Dept of Finance
Alex Hamilton, League of Cities, Fire Chiefs
Steffanie Watkins, Assn. of California Life and Health Insurance Cos.
National Assn. of Social Workers
