LAO: Counties Need 2,400+ New Eligibility Workers for H.R. 1 — Zero Funded, Creating Second Disenrollment Pathway
The CA Legislative Analyst's Office details the massive staffing gap counties face implementing H.R. 1. Counties estimate needing 2,000+ additional Medi-Cal eligibility workers and 400+ CalFresh workers statewide.
The Governor's budget proposes $2.4B for Medi-Cal county administration but includes zero funding for new positions. Starting October 2026, H.R. 1 also cuts federal CalFresh administrative cost share from 50% to 25%.
The CWDA warns of 'longer application processing times' and heightened churn where eligible people temporarily lose benefits due to processing backlogs.
For FQHCs: patients will lose coverage through administrative delays — not just work requirements — a second disenrollment vector driving uncompensated care.
Primary source
CA Legislative Analyst's Office / CWDAFQHC Talent. (2026, March 5). LAO: Counties Need 2,400+ New Eligibility Workers for H.R. 1 — Zero Funded, Creating Second Disenrollment Pathway. Primary source: CA Legislative Analyst's Office / CWDA. Retrieved June 12, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/lao-county-staffing-gap-hr1-administrative-churn
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