Loading...
Loading...
Collection · 7 articles
California is where the biggest FQHC policy fights land first. This collection tracks the Medi-Cal budget and May Revision, the June 2026 election results, LA County Measure ER, the CHW/Promotora benefit, and the MCO tax rate floor.
Election Analysis
California's June 2 primary was an election about the safety net: LA's Measure ER has passed, Contra Costa's Medicaid-backfill tax failed, Xavier Becerra advanced for governor, and three healthcare measures — including an FQHC-direct 90% spending mandate — locked onto the November ballot. Updated with the latest post-election implications for community health centers.
Strategy
LA County Measure ER passed and the half-cent sales tax takes effect October 1, 2026. The question for LA-area FQHCs is no longer pass/fail; it is bridge timing, allocation, reporting, and how to use the new safety-net backfill well.
Policy Analysis
Newsom's May 14, 2026 May Revision kept every January Medi-Cal cut and stacked four new ones on top: forced FFS transition for ~2M undocumented adults, state-imposed work requirements, asset limit reinstated at $2K/$3K, Prop 56 supplemental payments eliminated. Plus the premium increase to $50/month. Full side-by-side comparison, FQHC impact by service line, and timeline through July 2027. Every claim primary-sourced.
Policy Watch
California's CHW Medi-Cal benefit has reached fewer than 6,000 of ~15M beneficiaries since launching July 2022; total reimbursement is under $1M. AB 403 (Ortega) is inactive for 2026, but its transparency blueprint still matters: public utilization data by region, race, ethnicity, language, age, and Medi-Cal managed care plan.
Policy & Strategy
California's Medi-Cal MCO tax funds the primary-care rate floor that flows into FQHC reimbursement. Read this as the pre-budget setup; later budget negotiations now drive the operating interpretation.
Strategy
CalMatters' April 2026 investigation exposed the worst-kept secret in CA pediatric vision: rates fell from 19% to 16% over 8 years. Medi-Cal pays $47/exam (unchanged 25 years). Only 10% of CA optometrists accept it. FQHCs are the only realistic capacity expansion vehicle. Here's the playbook.
Policy & Strategy
H.R. 1 lets states charge Medicaid copays up to $35 — but FQHCs are exempt. Learn how this copay difference could affect patient flow, staffing, and capacity planning.
Get updates on this topic by email.
Subscribe to the newsletter