January 26, 2026
Top News
Update on H.R. 1 Impacts on Medi-Cal and CalFresh
California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) leadership, including CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson, DHCS Director Michelle Baass, and California Department of Social Services Director Jennifer Troia, recently provided an important
update on the implications of H.R. 1 for California's safety net programs, including Medi-Cal. The discussion highlighted ongoing efforts to address these federal changes and ensure continuity of care for vulnerable populations. Key points included California's recent award under the Rural Health Transformation Program, which aims to strengthen access and improve care delivery in rural communities. Leaders also shared updates on Medi-Cal, outlining anticipated impacts on eligibility, funding, and service delivery, as well as strategies to mitigate potential challenges.
CalHHS reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Californians and maintaining robust support for health and social services programs. Stakeholders are encouraged to monitor forthcoming guidance, prepare for operational adjustments, and engage with rural health initiatives to leverage new opportunities. For more details, please view the
full presentation. Thank you for your continued partnership in serving California communities.
Join Our Team
DHCS is hiring for its Accounting, Audits and Investigations, Contracts, 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 alternate formatting of meeting materials. To request services, please email DHCS at the appropriate contact email address at least ten working days before the meeting.
Behavioral Health Transformation Quality and Equity Advisory Committee Webinar
On January 26, from 12 to 2 p.m. PST, DHCS will host the ninth
Behavioral Health Transformation Quality and Equity Advisory Committee (QEAC) meeting (advance registration required). During this public webinar, committee members will collaborate and provide feedback on DHCS' ongoing efforts to measure and evaluate the quality and efficacy of behavioral health services and programs in California. Public participation is encouraged. Attendees can provide direct input to DHCS using the Q&A feature. For more information about QEAC webinars and additional resources, visit the
Behavioral Health Transformation Stakeholder Engagement webpage. Questions? Email
BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov.
Smile, California: National Children's Dental Health Month
On January 28 at 11 a.m. PST, Medi-Cal Dental partners are invited to join a
webinar to kick-off February's National Children's Dental Health Month celebration. The webinar will cover Medi-Cal Dental benefits for children and families, in-language materials, and ways to help families feel prepared and confident about dental care. National Children's Dental Health Month promotes oral health and raises awareness of dental benefits for children under age 18. This year's focus is on helping children prepare for dental visits by learning about dental check-ups and fostering positive relationships with their dentist. Please email questions to
hello@smilecalifornia.org.
Coverage Ambassadors Webinar
On January 29, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST, DHCS will host a
Coverage Ambassador webinar and provide an overview of the transitional rent Community Support (advance registration required). Attendees are encouraged to ask questions or share comments during the webinar. 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. Please visit the
Coverage Ambassador website for more information, and
subscribe to receive regular updates, newsletters, and webinar reminders.
H.R. 1 Implementation Plan All-Comer Webinar
On February 5, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. PST, DHCS will host an
all-comer webinar to walk through DHCS' H.R. 1 Implementation Plan, discuss key provisions (e.g., work reporting requirements), and answer stakeholder questions. The H.R. 1 Implementation Plan outlines California's strategy for implementing new federal Medicaid eligibility and enrollment requirements under H.R. 1 to minimize disruption and maintain coverage continuity. Changes resulting from H.R. 1 are expected to affect millions of Californians statewide.
Equity-Centered Sterilization Counseling: Evidence, Consent, and Practical Pearls
On February 20, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. PST, Family PACT (Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment) and the University of California, San Francisco will host a webinar (advance registration required) to explore strategies for providing informed, compassionate, and patient-centered counseling to individuals considering sterilization. For more information, please see the Family PACT webpage.
