March 2, 2026
Top News
Medi-Cal Turns 60: Celebrating a Lifeline for California
Sixty years ago, California launched Medi-Cal—our state's Medicaid program—to ensure low-income residents could access the care they deserve. When the program began in 1966, it served roughly one million Californians. Today, it supports more than 14 million people, or more than one in three Californians. Over the decades, Medi-Cal has grown into a comprehensive system that provides physical and behavioral health, dental, vision, and long-term services and supports. To mark this milestone year, DHCS is highlighting the breadth of benefits available to Medi-Cal members, introducing the people who make this work possible, and uplifting the real experiences of members and the dedication of partners across the state.
“Medi-Cal's promise is simple: Care when you need it, where you live. Sixty years in, we're continuing to expand access and advance equity by strengthening the foundations of our program: supporting our partners, improving the member experience, and ensuring Californians can get the services they rely on to live healthy, stable lives," said State Medicaid Director Tyler Sadwith. Follow along as we celebrate the people, partners, and stories shaping Medi-Cal's next chapter, and
share your own #MediCal60 stories so we can help amplify them.
Program Updates
ASCMI Form 2.0 Release
DHCS released the updated Authorization to Share Confidential Member Information (ASCMI) Form 2.0. The ASCMI Form is a standardized consent form that providers may use to get a person's permission to share specified sensitive information about their physical health, behavioral health, housing, and social services. To support care coordination across California, DHCS developed two versions of the ASCMI Form —
AB 133 and
non-AB 133. AB 133 ASCMI allows data sharing that aligns with California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal's (CalAIM) AB 133 statutory data sharing requirements, while the non-AB 133 ASCMI is a standard consent form for situations not governed by AB 133's mandatory data sharing provisions.
DHCS also developed an
ASCMI Revocation Form that individuals may use if they choose to withdraw their consent. Additional resources, including guidance on how to use the forms, FAQs, and a recording of the release webinar, are available on the
ASCMI-CalAIM webpage. DHCS encourages providers to begin using the ASCMI Form when seeking consent from clients to share sensitive information, when applicable. DHCS is currently working with counties through an early adopter cohort to design and develop methods for electronically collecting and transmitting ASCMI forms. More data-sharing resources for providers and stakeholders, including guidance on when consent may be required to share or receive information, are available on the DHCS
Data Exchange and Sharing page. Questions may be emailed to
DHCSDataSharing@dhcs.ca.gov.
Join Our Team
DHCS is seeking a talented and motivated individual to serve as:
- Chief, Fiscal Forecasting Division. The Chief plays a key leadership role in the development and administration of DHCS' budget by overseeing the state's assumptions, estimates, and funding for the Medi-Cal and other family health programs. The Chief also serves as an advisor on the development and implementation of budgets, financial activities, and policies. Applications must be submitted by March 12.
DHCS is also hiring for its Accounting, Behavioral Health, Contract, 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 DHCS at the appropriate contact email address at least ten working days before the meeting.
CalAIM 1115 Demonstration Public Comment Period and Hearing
On February 10, DHCS opened 30-day public and Tribal comment periods on its five-year renewal application for the CalAIM Section 1115 demonstration, set to expire on December 31, 2026. The renewal builds on CalAIM's principles of person-centered care and integration of physical, behavioral, and social services to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities. It reflects DHCS' commitment to addressing members' physical and mental health needs beyond traditional care settings. The public comment periods close at 11:59 p.m. PDT on March 12.
On March 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST, DHCS will host the
second public hearing to gather input (advance registration required). The hearing will be held online and in person at 1700 K Street, Sacramento. Additional information is available on the
DHCS CalAIM 1115 Demonstration and 1915(b) Waiver webpage.
Medi-Cal Children's Health Advisory Panel (MCHAP) Meeting
On March 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the quarterly MCHAP meeting at 1501 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814, in the first floor conference room (71.1316) or via
public webinar. MCHAP advises DHCS on policy and operational issues that affect children in Medi-Cal. For more information, please see the
MCHAP webpage or email
MCHAP@dhcs.ca.gov.
Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council Meeting
On March 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. PDT, DHCS will host the quarterly Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council meeting via
public webinar. The Voices and Vision Council is a unique space where Medi-Cal members, Medi-Cal health plans, providers, community-based organizations, and state/county partners come together to provide direct input to the DHCS leadership team. For more information, please visit the
Voices and Vision Council webpage or email
VoicesandVisionCouncil@dhcs.ca.gov.
Behavioral Health Transformation Quality and Equity Advisory Committee Webinar
On March 18, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. PDT, DHCS will hold the tenth
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.
In Case You Missed It
Medi-Cal 1915(i) Home and Community-Based Services State Plan Amendment
DHCS is seeking input from members, providers, and other interested stakeholders regarding the renewal application for the Medi-Cal 1915(i) Home and Community-Based Services State Plan Amendment (SPA 26-0009). The California Department of Developmental Services intends to renew the SPA for a five-year period (October 2026 through September 2031). Written comments may be emailed to Federal.Programs@dds.ca.gov or PublicInput@dhcs.ca.gov. Please indicate SPA 26-0009 in the subject line or message. Comments must be received no later than March 4. Please note that comments will be accepted after March 4, but DHCS may not be able to consider those comments prior to the initial submission of SPA 26-0009 to CMS.
