California: the record

San Mateo County budget plan adds 15 health care access positions

San Mateo County's proposed budget of about $5.2 billion, released around May 25, adds 15 health care access positions, Local News Matters reported.

May Revision adds $231M in losses to Santa Clara's public hospital system

Palo Alto Online reported May 25 that California's May Revision adds $231 million in losses to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, on top of H.R. 1 cuts. Those losses rise to $322 million the next year.

SEIU 721 WINS Certification at Bartz-Altadonna Community Health Center (96-19), Largest CA Community-Clinic Election Win of 2026

What began as a union-sourced organizing report is now an NLRB-certified election win.

California's AB 2756 requires public reporting on Medi-Cal vision care

The governor signed AB 2756 on September 18, 2026, directing DHCS to create public Medi-Cal vision performance measures. DHCS must set the list by January 1, 2028 and post it with calendar-year 2026 data by January 1, 2029.

Federal CalFresh work requirements take effect June 1 for many adults

New federal CalFresh work requirements under H.R. 1 take effect June 1, 2026, KQED reported. Recipients 18 to 64 without a child under 14 must log 80 hours a month of work, training, or community service, and San Francisco alone has about 19,300 affected.

California Hospital Association warns FQHC closures will raise emergency visits

The California Hospital Association publicly warned that FQHC closures will drive up emergency department visits, Becker's Hospital Review reported May 22.

AB 403, the CHW and promotora Medi-Cal transparency bill, died January 31

AB 403 (Asm. Liz Ortega) would have required DHCS to publish yearly data on CHW and promotora Medi-Cal use, payments and demographics starting July 1, 2027.

Corrected Sep 28, 2026: AB 403 was held in Assembly Appropriations on May 23, 2025, and died on January 31, 2026; it is not advancing.

AB 403 would have required CHW Medi-Cal reporting but died January 31

AB 403 (Asm. Liz Ortega) would have required DHCS to publish yearly data on CHW and promotora Medi-Cal use, payments and demographics starting July 1, 2027.

Corrected Sep 28, 2026: AB 403 was held in Assembly Appropriations on May 23, 2025, and died on January 31, 2026; it is not advancing.

Santa Barbara County issues 84 layoff notices and closes two pharmacies

Santa Barbara County issued 84 layoff notices in mid-May, 47 of them in Public Health, while closing a roughly $70 million budget gap, KSBY reported.

Shasta County lends its health agency $10 million to keep it running

Shasta County approved a $10 million emergency loan in late May to keep its health agency afloat, blaming H.R. 1, Action News Now reported. Jefferson Public Radio put the shortfall around $4.2 million, with a hiring freeze saving about $1.4 million a month.

San Bernardino County releases $10.9 billion budget ahead of June 9 vote

San Bernardino County, in the Inland Empire, released a $10.9 billion recommended budget for 2026-27 on May 21, 2026. CEO Luther Snoke said spending is $26.1 million below mid-year, and the board votes on June 9.

San Francisco budget plan adds 154 staff for Medi-Cal and CalFresh paperwork

The SF Standard reported May 21 that San Francisco's proposed budget spends $34 million to hire 154 Human Services Agency staff for Medi-Cal and CalFresh paperwork. They will also help about 19,300 CalFresh recipients meet the June 1 federal work requirements.

SEIU 1021 + AHS Workers Lead Statewide "Fight For Our Health" Rally Day at Capitol, Third Coalition Pressure Point on May Revise

SEIU 1021 members from Alameda Health System and Alameda County joined community members across California for a coordinated 'Fight For Our Health' rally day…

Orange County releases a $10.5 billion recommended budget

Orange County released its $10.5 billion recommended budget for FY2026-27 in late May 2026, with a $5.2 billion General Fund. Hearings were set for June 9 and adoption for June 23. The materials did not yet itemize Health Care Agency cuts.

LA County's Measure ER trails in polls ahead of June 2 vote

Los Angeles County votes June 2, 2026 on Measure ER, a five-year half-cent sales tax that would raise about $1 billion a year for safety-net hospitals and clinics. Polling shows 47% opposed and 45% in favor, according to LAist, Ballotpedia and KFF Health News.

Contra Costa adopts $7.248 billion budget as H.R. 1 strains health services

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted a $7.248 billion budget for 2026-27 on May 19, 2026. The county says H.R. 1 will cut funding and tighten eligibility for Medi-Cal and CalFresh, likely raising demand for county services.

Kheir Clinic sees 60 to 100 people a day and adds staff

American Community Media reported on May 19, 2026 that Kheir Clinic was helping an average of 60 to 100 people a day with Medi-Cal enrollment, lost coverage, food assistance and other needs.

SEIU-UHW 90% Patient-Care Initiative QUALIFIES for Nov 3, 2026 California Ballot

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber confirmed (eligible May 18, announced May 19, 2026; qualified after the June 25 withdrawal deadline) that SEIU-UHW's 'Clinic Funding Accountability and Transparency Act' (Initiative 25-0008, Measure No. 1986) is on…

California qualifies SEIU-UHW's 90% patient-care measure for the November 3 ballot

California's Secretary of State announced on May 19, 2026 that SEIU-UHW's Clinic Funding Accountability and Transparency Act qualified for the November 3, 2026 ballot.

San Diego County proposes $9.1 billion budget with H.R. 1 safety-net support

San Diego County released a $9.1 billion recommended budget on May 18, 2026, a 6% increase, with language supporting safety-net services hit by H.R. 1.

San Diego supervisors' safety-net reforms come due 60 days after budget passes

San Diego County released a $9.1 billion recommended budget on May 18, 2026, a 6% increase that backs safety-net services hit by H.R. 1. Reforms from the supervisors' 4-1 March vote are due within 60 days of budget adoption, and the hearing is June 1.

Clínicas del Camino Real brings free preventive care to Oxnard's Mexican consulate

Clínicas del Camino Real announced on May 15, 2026 an agreement with the Mexican Consulate of Oxnard for a Ventanilla de Salud, or Health Window, with free preventive care there. The network runs 16 health centers and 2 urgent care sites in Ventura County.

Newsom proposed renewing the MCO tax that funds Medi-Cal primary care rates

Governor Newsom's May Revision, released May 14, 2026, proposed renewing the managed care organization (MCO) tax, which expires December 31, 2026, in two parts. It would raise about $575 million in 2026-27 and about $2.3 billion a year in 2027-28 and 2028-29.

DHCS proposed moving about 2 million UIS members to fee-for-service

In its May 14, 2026 May Revision, DHCS proposed moving about 2 million members with unsatisfactory immigration status from Medi-Cal managed care to fee-for-service on January 1, 2027.

Corrected Oct 13, 2026: The record labeled the May Revision’s $583.8 million (2026–27) and $1.5 billion (ongoing) reductions as General Fund. Those are total funds; the General Fund shares are $471.6 million and $1.2 billion.

CSAC + CWDA Counties Demand $6.4B from State to Backfill May Revise Cost-Shift

Following the May 14 Governor May Revise, CSAC CEO Graham Knaus issued sharp public pushback: counties want $6.4B over two years ($1.9B FY26-27 + $4.5B FY27-28) to backfill Medi-Cal coverage losses, hospital support, and BH services.

California counties ask the state for $6.4 billion after the May Revise

After the governor's May 14, 2026 May Revise, the California State Association of Counties and CWDA asked the state for $6.4 billion over two years for Medi-Cal losses, hospitals and behavioral health, CalMatters reported.

DHCS renewal plan lets the $1.85 billion PATH program end December 31

DHCS's CalAIM renewal concept paper does not propose extending PATH past its December 31, 2026 end date, according to an Aurrera Health Group analysis. PATH funded $1.85 billion over five years for ECM and Community Supports work at FQHCs and community groups.

CMS holds back $1.3 billion in California Medicaid funds over fraud concerns

KPBS reported on May 13, 2026 that CMS is holding back about $1.3 billion in Medicaid funds owed to California, the largest deferral in CMS history. About $1.1 billion is home and personal care spending, and CMS cited hospice concentration in Los Angeles.

Santa Barbara County sends 84 layoff notices and plans pharmacy closures

Santa Barbara County issued layoff notices May 10-13, 2026 for 84 positions, effective June 30, including 47 in Public Health, Noozhawk and the Santa Barbara Independent reported.

Santa Barbara County (Public Health + Social Services + Sheriff + Fire), 84 positions

Santa Barbara County issued 84 layoff notices May 10-13, 2026 — 47 from Public Health, 31 Social Services, 5 Sheriff, 1 Fire — effective June 30, 2026 unless budget reversal.

Newsom's May Revision proposed $1.1 billion more in immigrant Medi-Cal cuts

The California Academy of Family Physicians reported that Governor Newsom's May Revision, due May 14, 2026, included $1.1 billion in additional Medi-Cal cuts.

CalAIM waiver renewal awaits CMS approval before December 31 expiration

Public comment on California's CalAIM 1115 waiver renewal closed March 12, 2026, and the current waiver expires December 31, 2026. CMS approval is pending, and a decision may come near that date.

Fresno County could absorb $241 million in indigent care costs

GV Wire and Fresnoland reported May 12, 2026 that Fresno County could absorb $241 million in indigent care costs as a projected 11,000 to 30,000 residents lose Medi-Cal under H.R. 1. The county has a budget hole of about $300 million.

Los Angeles County certifies Measure ER passed 50.64% to 49.36%

On June 26, the Los Angeles County registrar certified that Measure ER passed in the June 2 election with 1,013,747 yes votes (50.64%) to 987,977 no votes (49.36%). The temporary 0.5% sales tax runs five years and is projected to raise about $1 billion a year.

AFSCME 3299 reports 96.4% vote to ratify UC deal after strike canceled

On May 13, AFSCME Local 3299 called off its planned May 14 UC strike after a tentative agreement, and on May 22 it reported 96.4% ratification.