Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee and Voices and Vision Council – Annual Report

• Executive Summary
• Background of the Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee and Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council
• Membership Framework and Representation
• Meeting Structure and Member Engagement
• Meeting Outcomes
• Impact of Advisory Member Contributions
• Conclusion and Look Ahead

August 7, 2026

Executive Summary

The California Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee (MMAC) and Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council represent California’s commitment to embedding community voices and lived experience into the design, implementation, and improvement of the Medi-Cal program. Together, the two advisory groups ensure Medi-Cal members, caregivers, advocates, providers, health plans and community partners play a meaningful role in shaping policies and programs that directly impact communities across the state.

Throughout this reporting year, DHCS focused on implementing the newly created Voices and Vision Council and transitioned the MMAC to fulfill the requirements of the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services Final Rule (CMS-2442-F). On behalf of the Voices and Vision Council, and with support from DHCS, this document was prepared in alignment with the annual reporting requirement under this Final Rule.

At the heart of this work is DHCS’ commitment to Medi-Cal member-centered policy making realized through a focus on strengthening operational infrastructure, engagement practices, and collaborative processes that support an authentic sense of community where Medi-Cal members are heard and seen. The MMAC and Voices and Vision Council have centered trust-building, accessibility, inclusion, and authentic engagement through trauma-informed facilitation, culturally responsive practices, language and ADA accommodations, MMAC member stipends, and individualized preparation and support. These efforts have created an environment where MMAC members openly share lived experiences, identify challenges within the Medi-Cal system, and contribute directly to policy and program discussions with DHCS leadership.

A major focus of the advisory groups’ discussions this past year has been supporting DHCS in preparing for implementation of federal changes to Medi-Cal, including HR1 Medicaid Work and Community Engagement Requirements and requirement to move Medi-Cal members with “unsatisfactory immigration status”^[1] to the Fee-For-Service delivery system.

Across quarterly meetings, members provided actionable recommendations that reinforced DHCS’ strategic goal to prioritize plain language communication, culturally responsive outreach, trusted messengers, multilingual materials, and ways to reduce confusion and administrative burden for Medi-Cal members navigating new requirements. These discussions informed DHCS planning efforts and reinforced the importance of designing systems and communications that are accessible, equitable, inclusive, and community-informed. In addition, DHCS leaders and staff gained increased understanding of how Medi-Cal policies are experienced differently across communities and regions, helping foster a more member-centered culture within the Department.

Importantly, the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council have evolved beyond formal advisory structures into trusted spaces for shared learning, collaboration, and relationship-building. Advisory group members consistently report feeling heard, respected, and valued. Many Medi-Cal members who serve on the advisory groups also emerged as advocates and ambassadors within their own communities—sharing information, elevating community concerns, and helping connect Medi-Cal members with resources and support.

Looking ahead, DHCS will continue building on the strong foundation established with the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council by strengthening feedback loops with advisory group members, expanding opportunities for member training and peer support, and aligning discussions with high-impact opportunities to improve Medi-Cal programs and services. As DHCS advances its commitment to a more equitable, person-centered Medi-Cal system, these advisory groups will continue to play a critical role in ensuring that member voices remain central to policy development, program implementation, and systems transformation efforts across California.

Acknowledgement

The DHCS team would like to express our sincerest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the development and implementation of the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council. Special thanks go to The California Health Care Foundation, Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, Everyday Impact Consulting, and Camden Coalition for their guidance and support, and to all advisory group members whose input and cooperation made this work possible. Your encouragement and expertise were invaluable throughout this process.

Background of the Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee and Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council

Grounded in California’s commitment to embed community voices and lived experience into the design, implementation, and improvement of the Medi-Cal program, in May 2023 under the leadership of Director Michelle Baass, DHCS officially launched the MMAC. In September 2025, DHCS launched the Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council and made adjustments to the structure of the MMAC to fulfill requirements of the Access Final Rule. The MMAC serves as the federally required Beneficiary Advisory Council and the Voices and Vision Council serves as the federally required Medicaid Advisory Committee. These transitions ensured that DHCS’ advisory structures aligned with new federal expectations for Medi-Cal member engagement under the Access Final Rule.

The advisory groups were created to ensure that Medi-Cal members’ lived experiences are heard, valued, and used to inform the development and implementation of the Medi-Cal program. Incorporating perspectives from these advisory groups has led to more equitable, inclusive, effective, and person-centered policies. 

Prior to the official launch of the MMAC in 2023, DHCS partnered with the California Health Care Foundation and the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) to commission a report that identified best practices and lessons learned from other member advisory boards and community engagement efforts across the country and made recommendations to inform the engagement of Medi-Cal members in policy making and program development. The July 2023 report, which was authored by CHCS, provided recommendations related to composition and size, member compensation, and meeting logistics to guide the design, effectiveness, and sustainability of the MMAC. These recommendations guided the development of the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council and have continued to shape practices and structures as the advisory group transitioned to comply with the Access Final Rule. 

Since their inception, the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council have been grounded in principles that elevate community voices, promote collaboration, and foster a safe and inclusive space for sharing. Trust-building is prioritized through conversation-based, accessible meetings. The advisory groups operate in a respectful, trauma-informed, and welcoming way.  

Membership Framework and Representation

The MMAC was designed to reflect the geographic, cultural, and experiential diversity of California’s Medi-Cal population, and the Voices and Vision Council was designed to bring diverse perspectives in the Medi-Cal field. Recruitment approaches and member expectations are rooted in DHCS’ commitment to authentic and representative engagement.

MMAC Representation

DHCS recruits MMAC members through a culturally responsive, community‑based approach designed to reflect the diversity of the Medi-Cal population. Recruitment includes sharing multilingual, plain‑language materials and leveraging partnerships with community organizations across the state. Membership reflects a wide range of demographic characteristics and experiences across delivery systems, with geographic representation spanning multiple regions of California—including the Bay Area; Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Yolo, Sacramento, Humboldt, Orange, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. This distribution helps ensure perspectives from both urban and rural communities are represented. In addition, membership reflects the two primary languages spoken by Medi-Cal members—English (65.5%) and Spanish (27.3%)—helping ensure linguistic diversity.

The MMAC members bring diverse lived experiences that inform Medi-Cal program improvements. Members include caregivers for children with special health or complex care needs, those supporting adult family members receiving Medi-Cal, navigating intellectual or developmental disability services, and receiving home and community‑based or skilled nursing facility services. Additional perspectives come from individuals living with chronic physical or behavioral health conditions, those with experience in mental health or substance use disorder services, individuals with lived experience of homelessness, and residents of rural communities. Collectively, these viewpoints reflect the broad cultural, geographic, and service‑related diversity of California’s Medi-Cal members.

Voices and Vision Council Representation

Per CMS’s requirements the Voices and Vision Council includes 16 members representing key health sectors and perspectives: 

• Three MMAC members 
• Four members representing state or local consumer advocacy groups or community-based organizations 
• Three members representing clinical providers or administrators of primary, specialty, and long-term care 
• Five members representing Managed Care Plans or health plan associations 
• One member representing other state agencies or departments 

Member Recruitment, Expectations, and Leadership Roles

DHCS recruits Voices and Vision Council and MMAC members through a culturally responsive, community‑based process. Applications are available on the DHCS website and accepted on an ongoing basis. DHCS staff review applications, invite select candidates to interview, and consider how each applicant’s lived experience and background will contribute to the diversity of the advisory groups. The Director of DHCS makes final membership decisions.

Advisory members are expected to participate in all quarterly meetings, engage in thoughtful dialogue grounded in their own experiences, help shape recommendations on key Medi‑Cal priorities, participate in pre-meeting check‑ins, and review meeting materials in advance. The DHCS Director and State Medicaid Director, along with DHCS staff, create a supportive and inclusive environment by providing logistical assistance, accessibility accommodations, and preparation sessions. Staff also ensure compliance with CMS requirements and advisory group bylaws, publish meeting dates well in advance, and offer support to members between meetings.

Both advisory groups include a Chairperson role open to all members. Chairpersons collaborate with DHCS staff to help plan meeting agendas and activities, elevate topics for discussion, support fellow members, share information about open seats, and review meeting notes and minutes. Additional details on advisory group operations, including the Chairperson role, are outlined in each group’s bylaws.

• Medi-Cal Voices and Vision Council Bylaws
• Medi-Cal Member Advisory Committee Bylaws

Meeting Structure and Member Engagement

Between July 2025 and June 2026, the advisory groups met quarterly to discuss important topics, share lived experiences, and provide guidance to DHCS. Each meeting is part of a broader system that helps members participate fully—including preparation activities, structured discussions, and follow‑up steps that ensure member input is heard and used. Together, these meetings and supports create an ongoing process where members identify issues, offer feedback based on their experiences, and collaborate with DHCS to strengthen how Medi‑Cal is administered.

Overview

Between July 2025 and June 2026, the Voices and Vision Council and MMAC each met quarterly, for a total of four meetings per group. The Voices and Vision Council held its inaugural meeting in September 2025, which was held jointly with the MMAC.

Each quarter, both advisory groups discuss the same topics. Meeting topics are identified through a collaborative process informed by (1) topic areas that advisory members have expressed an interest in (collected routinely by DHCS through member surveys and individual check-in meetings) and (2) actionable and timely opportunities for DHCS to enhance program administration and operations through inclusion of advisory member feedback.

MMAC members meet first and share ideas through open conversations and small group discussions. The Voices and Vision Council meets afterwards and is subsequently informed by issues raised at the MMAC meeting as the MMAC members who also serve on the Voices and Vision Council share in their own words what was discussed.

The March 2026 and June 2026 Voices and Vision Council meetings were open for public participation. All public comments received are documented and included in the meeting minutes. Public comments do not directly determine future meeting topics; however, when public input aligns with advisory member feedback or DHCS priorities, it may help reinforce areas for deeper discussion.

Agendas, minutes, and presentation materials from all meetings are available here:

• Voices and Vision Council Past Meetings Archive
• MMAC Past Meetings Archive

Summary of Meeting Topics and Themes

Throughout the reporting year, themes discussed by the Voices and Vision Council and MMAC focused on:

• Eligibility, enrollment, and renewal processes
• Member and provider communications
• Cultural competency, language access, health equity, and disparities and biases in the Medicaid program

The September 2025 joint meeting brought both advisory groups together before transitioning into separate breakout discussions for MMAC and the Voices and Vision Council. Across the two groups, members concentrated on developing foundational infrastructure, including reviewing draft bylaws and discussing the Chairperson election process. These conversations helped clarify expectations and inform how each advisory body would operate moving forward.

In December 2025, DHCS provided an overview of the Medicaid Work & Community Engagement Requirement, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027. This was the first opportunity for advisory members to learn about and respond to the federal rule. MMAC members were engaged through broad, open‑ended questions to gather their initial reactions and concerns. Voices and Vision Council members were briefed on the themes raised in MMAC’s discussion and invited to share their own reflections. Across both meetings, members participated in breakout‑style conversations offering recommendations on outreach methods, communication strategies, and effective channels for sharing information with Medi‑Cal members and stakeholders.

The March 2026 meetings continued the work initiated in December by taking a deeper look at DHCS’s draft communications plan for implementing the new federal requirements for Medicaid Work & Community Engagement Requirement. DHCS staff presented a detailed plan and timeline and invited both advisory groups to provide feedback. MMAC members participated in small breakout discussions to react to the plan and offer input on messaging priorities and implementation considerations. The Voices and Vision Council meeting, which was open to the public, used a large‑group discussion format instead of breakouts. Members also engaged in an interactive Miro whiteboard exercise, sharing written insights about when Medi‑Cal members should receive information, what communication methods are most effective, and who the most trusted messengers are.

In June 2026, DHCS presented information about the upcoming federally required transition of Medi‑Cal members with “unsatisfactory immigration status” to the Fee‑for‑Service delivery system. Both advisory groups were invited to share initial reactions, questions, and concerns. MMAC members discussed the transition in small breakout groups, focusing on potential challenges and communication needs. The Voices and Vision Council engaged in a large‑group discussion, offering insights on how DHCS can best support affected members and communicate the transition clearly and responsibly.

Support Structures

DHCS staff and third-party facilitators provide extensive logistical and accessibility supports to ensure all members can engage fully and authentically. These supports include coordinating and distributing meeting materials in advance and compiling detailed meeting minutes.

Language access and ADA accommodations are provided as needed, including real-time interpretation and translation for non-English speakers, live captioning, notetakers, reading and writing assistance, and conversion of materials into braille, large print, audio, or electronic formats. MMAC members also receive a stipend per quarterly meeting, with options for how compensation is delivered, as well as benefits counseling and reimbursement for costs associated with participation where applicable.

Co-Creation and Engagement Strategies

Beyond logistics, DHCS prioritizes inclusion and psychological safety through intentional meeting design. Individual and small-group preparation sessions are held with MMAC members ahead of each meeting to review the agenda, answer questions, and ensure they arrive ready to participate. DHCS utilizes facilitation techniques, justice language, community norms, and interactive meeting components to support and encourage all members to contribute to the fullest extent. Requests for additional support from members and feedback on how to make meetings more inclusive and engaging are routinely collected, considered, and integrated to support ongoing process improvement. The bylaws (linked above in previous section) clearly outline roles, responsibilities, and expectations for attendance and engagement during meetings.

Between meetings, DHCS maintains ongoing relationships with members by responding to individual challenges, hosting debrief conversations, and closing the feedback loop on issues members have raised. These engagement practices are reinforced through ongoing trust and relationship-building efforts that extend beyond individual meetings. The Chairpersons of both groups play a key role in supporting this ecosystem by providing input to staff liaisons on agenda development, grounded in member feedback and advisory group priorities. 

Finally, art, storytelling, healing practices, and peer learning are used as tools to deepen connection and meaningfully engage across diverse identities and experiences. For instance, during the December 2025 meetings, custom artwork created by artist Tiranjani Pillai, who attended the September 2025 joint meeting, was presented to both advisory groups. The artwork reflects transparency, prosperity, and renewal, featuring glass houses with emeralds, dahlias, peonies, and a crane symbolizing trust-building among DHCS, MMAC, and Voices and Vision Council members.

Meeting Outcomes

Quarterly meetings produce two key outputs: a formal recommendations process through which member insights drive policy action, and post-meeting feedback surveys that continuously improve the advisory experience. Together, these mechanisms ensure advisory member voices shape both Medi-Cal policy and the design of the advisory groups themselves.

Advisory Group Member Recommendations

In alignment with the Access Final Rule, DHCS has initiated an official process to ensure recommendations from the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council can effect real and meaningful change in terms of Medi-Cal member access, experience, and outcomes.

Recommendations

Recommendations from MMAC and Voices and Vision Council members are documented by notetakers during meeting conversations, breakout groups, and virtual whiteboard (i.e., Miro board) activities. After each meeting, recommendations are compiled for advisory members to vote on them. Once approved, DHCS posts the recommendations online along with DHCS’s response and progress updates. 

Approved MMAC Recommendations

These recommendations were approved by a majority vote by the deadline of June 5, 2026, through a survey distributed by email to MMAC members.

• Create and maintain a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource that addresses common member questions about the Medicaid Work & Community Engagement Requirement, such as: who is affected, what actions are required of members, what the exemption criteria are, which documents may be required for renewal, how to report partial compliance scenarios, clear guidance on verification requirements, when each step must be completed, the timelines for consequences, and how to avoid common mistakes. Additionally, this resource should be easily accessible on the DHCS website and downloadable by community partners.
• Provide clear guidance on how work rules can be met and what, if anything, members will need to submit in order to verify hours worked, volunteered, in training, and/or at school.
• Establish partnerships with community clinics and nonprofits to create volunteer opportunities for members who need to meet work requirements.

Approved Voices and Vision Council Recommendations

These recommendations were approved by a majority vote by the deadline of June 24, 2026 through a survey distributed by email to Voices and Vision Council members.

• Publish the DHCS communications plan so counties, plans, providers, community organizations, and other trusted messengers can align their own outreach and messaging with the Department.
• Use a layered communication approach that starts with broad, repeated awareness messages and becomes more specific and personalized as implementation gets closer.

Joint Recommendations

Joint recommendations are ideas that both the MMAC and the Voices and Vision Council shared. These were recommendations approved by both advisory groups through a survey distributed by email.

• Ensure all member-facing communications about the Medicaid Work & Community Engagement Requirement are culturally responsive, available in the nineteen (19) threshold languages and written in plain language.
• Make it easier for Medi-Cal members to retain coverage by clearly explaining where to go for timely help with the Work and Community Engagement Requirements.
• Use a variety of communication methods, such as mail, email, text messages, flyers, health plan apps, community postings, and in-person outreach, to ensure all Medi-Cal members receive important information in a way that works best for them.
• Provide early training to trusted messengers such as Medi-Cal county eligibility workers, doctors, clinics, behavioral health providers, pharmacies, community health workers, and other trusted messengers, so they can confidently explain the requirement and share educational materials during their regular interactions with Medi-Cal members.
• Provide individualized or self-service tools (e.g., including information on BenefitsCal) to help Medi-Cal members understand whether the rule applies to them.

DHCS Response to Advisory Group Recommendations

DHCS welcomes the feedback and recommendations submitted by the MMAC and the Voices and Vision Council. Because this first set of recommendations was formally approved by both advisory groups in June 2026, DHCS is now beginning the process of reviewing feasibility, identifying operational considerations, and determining next steps for implementation.

Over the coming months, DHCS will evaluate each recommendation, share updates on progress, and continue to close the feedback loop with advisory group members as work advances.

Post Meeting Survey Process

In addition to recommendations, advisory member experience is a key outcome of interest from meeting participation. Feedback surveys are distributed to advisory members after each meeting and are designed to capture both quantitative ratings and open-ended qualitative input. Surveys are available for MMAC members in their preferred language, accommodating the linguistic diversity of the membership.

Each survey covers several core areas:

• Overall satisfaction with the meeting experience
• Feedback on specific topics discussed (e.g., the transition to Fee-for-Service for people with “unsatisfactory immigration status”, the Work and Community Engagement Requirements Communication Plan)
• Reactions to meeting format and facilitation approaches, including the use of collaborative digital tools such as the Miro virtual whiteboard
• Requests for accommodations or supports needed to ensure full and equitable participation in future meetings
• Open-ended space for any additional comments, questions, or concerns members did not have the opportunity to raise during the meeting itself

Impact of Advisory Member Contributions

The advisory groups have already had a meaningful impact on DHCS’ work throughout the year. In addition to shaping specific communications materials and helping DHCS anticipate member needs, both advisory groups have influenced how the Department approaches collaboration, consensus‑building, and the integration of diverse perspectives from Medi‑Cal members and health care professionals.

Over the past year, DHCS has learned important lessons about structuring engagement so that complex topics can be explored effectively across both advisory groups, whose membership compositions and lived experiences differ. The impact described in the following sections therefore reflects both the tangible improvements informed by member insights and the broader cultural and operational shifts occurring within DHCS as a result of sustained advisory engagement.

Improvements Made to Member-facing Communications Materials

DHCS worked closely with the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council to review and receive feedback on draft text messages about the Work and Community Engagement Requirements. Members provided invaluable insights, including: 

• The importance of using plain, easy to understand language.
• Concerns about spam, highlighting the importance of clear and trustworthy sender identity.
• Messages need to clearly state the population affected and purpose; vague messages reduce engagement.

As part of this process, members tested four draft text messages (A, B, C, and D) and selected the ones they would be most likely to click on to get more information. Members preferred Message A because the language was clear and simple, which they noted was important for general understanding. The invitation to “see if it applies to you” made the message feel personal and actionable, increasing the likelihood of engagement. In direct alignment with this feedback, DHCS moved forward with message A.

Draft Message	Message Text	Selected?
A	Starting in 2027, some adults must work, volunteer, or go to school to keep Medi-Cal. Learn more and see if this applies to you: [link]	Yes
B	Medi-Cal is changing in 2027. Some members will need to work or volunteer to stay covered. Learn what counts and how to prepare: [link]	No
C	New rules may affect your Medi-Cal in 2027. You might need to work, volunteer, or study to stay covered. Find out more: [link]	No
D	Changes to Medi-Cal are coming. You may need to take action to keep your coverage in 2027. Learn what’s changing and how to prepare: [link]	No

Realizing Member-Centric Culture

DHCS team members and leaders are shifting the culture and practice of the Department to be more Medi-Cal member-centered. Through MMAC and Voices and Vision Council discussions, DHCS leaders have been able to monitor potential systemic issues across the Medi-Cal health care delivery system, gain a better understanding of how policies and programs impact Medi-Cal members across regions and populations, and recognize the challenges Medi-Cal members face when navigating complex systems.

Advisory Member Experience and Impact

Analysis of survey feedback and member reflections across multiple meetings reveals consistent themes about the advisory experience and its value. Together, these insights demonstrate how the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council are fostering meaningful engagement, elevating community voice, and strengthening trust between DHCS and Medi‑Cal members.

High Satisfaction with Meeting Quality

MMAC and Voices and Vision Council members consistently rated their overall meeting experience as “Outstanding” or “Exceeds Expectation.” They praised the quality of facilitation, the availability of subject matter experts to answer questions, and the transparency with which information was presented. Many highlighted the value of the groups as platforms for community voices to inform state‑level policy decisions.

Appreciation for Inclusive and Accessible Meeting Design

Members of both advisory groups expressed strong appreciation for DHCS’ commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Elements frequently cited as essential to meaningful participation included:

• Bilingual facilitation and Spanish‑language interpretation,
• Interactive small‑group formats paired with Miro board activities,
• Time‑management practices that allow space for all voices, and
• Advance distribution of meeting materials, helping members arrive prepared.

These practices contribute to members feeling heard, welcomed, and respected—both in meetings and in the follow‑up support provided by DHCS staff and third‑party facilitators. MMAC members specifically valued the responsiveness of DHCS in addressing questions and concerns raised during and between meetings.

Deep Commitment to Advisory Purpose and Community Voice

Across survey cycles, members from both advisory groups communicated a strong sense of purpose and investment in the advisory work. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and emphasized that sharing their experiences with DHCS leadership helps “close the gap” between the Department’s understanding of Medi‑Cal and the lived experience of those navigating the system day‑to‑day. They believe their participation will drive improvements for themselves, their families, and other Medi‑Cal members.

MMAC members also offered constructive suggestions to strengthen effectiveness, including dedicating more meeting time to discussing real‑world implementation impacts, exploring time limits to ensure equitable participation, and continuing to include DHCS representatives who can address questions in real time.

MMAC members emphasized that by sharing their stories to the top leaders of DHCS, they are “closing the gap” between DHCS’ understanding of the Medi-Cal health care delivery system and the consumer’s experience at a regional and individual level. They strongly believe that participation in the MMAC will lead to improvements for themselves and other Medi-Cal members. 

An unexpected ripple effect of the MMAC is that some members take on an advocate-ambassador role, formally and informally, by bringing information to their own community and relaying community challenges back to DHCS. Some members have formal roles as advocates or community health workers/promotores, in which they liaise between community members and agencies, providing fellow members with information about Medi-Cal and bringing community concerns to decision makers.

Continuous Improvement through Feedback

The post‑meeting survey process remains a valuable tool for capturing member perspectives and identifying opportunities for improvement. DHCS regularly reviews survey input and incorporates insights into meeting design, facilitation, and the broader engagement approach to ensure an inclusive and member‑centered advisory environment.

Conclusion and Look Ahead

DHCS’ vision for the Medi-Cal program is that the people served by Medi-Cal should have longer, healthier, and happier lives. In this whole-system, person-centered, and population health approach to care, health care services are only one element of supporting better health in the population.

Partnerships with Medi-Cal members, communities, community-based organizations, schools, public health agencies, counties, and health care systems will be essential to preventing illness, supporting health care needs, addressing health disparities, and reducing the impact of poor health. 

As such, in the coming years the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council will continue to serve a key role in support of this strategy and related goals including: 

• Put people first and design programs and services for whole person care in the community.
• Ensure individuals get care when, where, and how they need it by strengthening health care coverage, benefits, and provider and service capacity.
• Improve quality outcomes, reduce health disparities, and transform the delivery system.

Finally, in the coming year DHCS will continue to build on operational successes to strengthen advisory group impact and engagement, including exploring opportunities to: 

• Align agenda items and discussion with high-impact and feasible opportunities to integrate community insights into policy and program design.
• Consistently close the feedback loop by reporting status updates, action steps, and timing for incorporating items that members provided input on or raised concerns about.
• Offer optional trainings or information on Medi-Cal to build the knowledge base of MMAC members.
• Consider developing a peer mentor system for MMAC members by pairing seasoned members with new ones, especially during the initial onboarding stage. 
• Create additional venues for members to share their feedback and challenges as well as collaborate before and after meetings.

The work of the MMAC and Voices and Vision Council reflects a fundamental truth that DHCS carries forward into every aspect of its mission: the people most affected by Medi-Cal are also its most essential architects. When community members share their stories in meeting rooms, in breakout groups, and in conversations between sessions, they are not simply providing feedback—they are reshaping what it means for a state agency to listen, to learn, and to be held accountable. The relationships, trust, and recommendations built over this reporting year are not the end of a process; they are the foundation of something larger. As DHCS looks ahead, it does so with the voices of Medi-Cal members not at the margins of policy, but at its center—guiding a vision of health care in California that is truly equitable, truly accessible, and truly built for every community it serves.

^[1] This report uses federal Medicaid terminology where required. In member-facing communications, DHCS continues to prioritize plain, respectful language that clearly explains that affected members are not losing Medi-Cal coverage, but that the way they access care is changing.