August 17, 2026

Top News

Joint Statement from CalHHS Leaders on Federal Actions Targeting Health Care for Transgender Americans

In response to the Trump administration’s final rule barring federal Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding for medically necessary gender-affirming care for transgender youth, CalHHS leaders, including CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson, DHCS Director Michelle Baass, Department of Managed Health Care Director Mary Watanabe, Department of Health Care Access and Information Director Elizabeth Landsberg, and Department of Public Health Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan, released a joint statement. California is investing $30 million over the next three years to pay for uncompensated care (health care that is not covered by other sources) for gender-affirming care and abortion, as well as $26 million over three years to stabilize and expand the state’s gender-affirming care provider network.

Program Updates

Behavioral Health Services Act Performance Measures Rates Now Available

On August 4, DHCS released the first set of statewide and county rates for Behavioral Health Services Act performance measures, California’s updated framework for improving mental health and substance use disorder care statewide, marking a major milestone for California’s Mental Health for All modernization effort. This is a historic shift toward more complete behavioral health data. Developed with input from the Behavioral Health Transformation Quality and Equity Advisory Committee, counties, stakeholders, providers, community partners, and subject matter experts, these measures replace earlier population‑level indicators with specific, goal‑aligned metrics, supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, institutionalization, and other key behavioral health challenges. These new data will help counties and Medi‑Cal managed care plans improve planning, population health, and equitable service delivery. For questions, please email BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.

Ensuring Access to Behavioral Health

On August 12, DHCS published the 2025 Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Initial and Final Compliance Findings report on the Network Adequacy webpage. The report shows that 10 county Behavioral Health Plans (BHP) did not meet state and federal timely access and network adequacy standards, as outlined in Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN) 25-013, for two consecutive certification years. To drive timely improvements and ensure Medi-Cal members can access needed care, DHCS issued temporary withholds for these plans until deficiencies are corrected. Once a BHP demonstrates compliance, DHCS will release the withheld funds. This action strengthens accountability, supports the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative’s commitment to whole-person care, and reinforces DHCS’ ongoing work with counties and stakeholders to build robust provider networks and ensure Californians receive timely, quality behavioral health services.

Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual Public Comment Period

DHCS released Module 6 of the Behavioral Health Services Act County Policy Manual for public comment. Feedback is due September 3 through DHCS’ digital platform. Module 6 covers key policy areas, including guidance on the Behavioral Health Outcomes, Accountability, and Transparency Report (BHOATR), the BHOATR template, Individual Service Level data reporting, Full Service Partnership presumptive eligibility, and practices to support culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate care. This final module concludes the multi-phase manual development process, supporting counties as they finalized their three-year Integrated Plans and aligned local behavioral health investments with state requirements, community priorities, and measurable outcomes. For questions, email BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.

Request for Applications for Elevate Youth California Cohort 8 Standard Track

On August 17, DHCS released a Request for Applications (RFA) for approximately $44 million. Youth serving community-based and Tribal organizations can apply for up to $1,000,000 to implement the Elevate Youth California (EYC) program over a three-year grant period in low-income, under-resourced communities of color. EYC is a statewide program addressing substance use disorder by investing in youth leadership and civic engagement for youth of color and 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth ages 12 to 26 living in communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. For more information and to apply by the September 21, 2026, deadline, please visit the EYC website.

2026 Teledentistry Provider Survey

Smile, California this month is promoting the 2026 Teledentistry Survey for providers to encourage participation and gather meaningful feedback that will help inform future improvements to Medi-Cal Dental services. Current outreach efforts center on boosting awareness of the survey among dental providers through established communication channels. The survey is open until August 30, allowing providers time to share experiences, perspectives, and recommendations related to teledentistry services.

Join Our Team

DHCS is hiring for its Legislative, Legal, and other teams. For more information, please visit the CalCareers website.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings and Webinars

DHCS posts upcoming public meetings on its Calendar of Events. DHCS provides free assistive services, including language interpretation, real-time captioning, and meeting materials in alternate formatting. To request services, please email the Office of Civil Rights at civilrights@dhcs.ca.gov at least 10  working days before the meeting.

Stakeholder Advisory Committee/Behavioral Health-Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting

On August 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the hybrid Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC)/Behavioral Health-SAC meeting (advance registration required for online and in-person participation) at 1501 Capitol Avenue (First Floor Conference Room 71.1316), Sacramento, CA. SAC provides DHCS with valuable input and feedback on efforts to provide equitable access to quality health care. BH-SAC provides DHCS with input on behavioral health initiatives and was created as part of the ongoing effort to integrate behavioral health with the greater health care system. This meeting will include updates on the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Interim Final Rule’s impact on Medi-Cal work and community engagement requirements; Medi-Cal provider enrollment for ordering, referring, and prescribing providers; and an update on Behavioral Health Transformation. The final agenda and other meeting materials will be posted as the meeting date approaches. For more information, please email SACinquiries@dhcs.ca.gov or BehavioralHealthSAC@dhcs.ca.gov.

Coverage Ambassador Webinar Series

On August 27, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host a Coverage Ambassador train the trainer webinar to provide an overview of Medi-Cal six-month renewals and work and community engagement requirements, and to provide additional information to help members keep their coverage as more H.R. 1 changes are implemented (advanced registration required). Spanish translation and live captions will be available. Coverage Ambassadors are trusted messengers who help raise awareness about Medi-Cal benefits, enrollment opportunities, and new initiatives aimed at building a healthier California for all. Visit the Coverage Ambassador website for more information, including how to subscribe to receive regular updates, newsletters, and webinar reminders.

DHCS CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup Meeting

On August 26, from 12 to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the CalAIM Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and Duals Integration Workgroup meeting (advance registration required). The workgroup is a stakeholder collaboration hub for CalAIM MLTSS and integrated care for dual eligible members. It allows stakeholders to provide feedback and share information about policy, operations, and strategy related to Medi-Cal and Medicare. More information, background materials, transcripts, and video recordings of previous workgroup meetings are posted on the CalAIM MLTSS and Duals Integration Workgroup webpage. For questions or comments, please email info@calduals.org.

In Case You Missed It

Governor Newsom Continues to Deliver on Mental Health Reform

As California paves the way for more community-based treatment and delivers visible progress in its transformation of the behavioral health care system, Governor Newsom highlighted 15 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) projects that reached construction and ribbon opening milestones, including new youth centers and expanded crisis and residential services. The projects were funded by the state’s BHCIP and Bond BHCIP awards, managed by DHCS. Bond BHCIP awards are funded by Proposition 1, which was approved by voters in 2024.