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.
SB 1422 In Progress
This bill would make undocumented immigrants, 19 or older, eligible for the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits.
AB 2729 In Progress
This bill would establish the "Employer Responsibility for Medi-Cal Trust Fund" and require large employers whose workers rely on Medi-Cal for health insurance to contribute to that fund.
AB 1923 In Progress
This bill would create a 300 million dollar "Distressed Hospital Loan Program Fund" for hospitals in financial distress.
SB 1146 In Progress
This bill would prohibit using artificial intelligence to create misleading advertising around health care products and services.
SB 895
California Science and Health Research Bond Act.
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Health
California Science and Health Research Bond Act.Committee: Senate 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
AB 96
Mental health services: peer support specialist certification.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
Mental health services: peer support specialist certification.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
AB 1672
Medi-Cal: Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: rates.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
Medi-Cal: Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: rates.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
AB 1126
Medi-Cal managed care plans: enrollees with other health care coverage.
In Progress Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
Medi-Cal managed care plans: enrollees with other health care coverage.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Health
SB 1047
Neurodegenerative disease registry program.
In Progress Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Health
Neurodegenerative disease registry program.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Health
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
