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Staff Roster

Office of Legislative & Governmental Affairs

Melissa Bacon, Deputy Director  

Melissa.Bacon@dhcs.ca.gov

Lead Over Legislative Advocacy & Consulting Sections

Michelle Touhey, Assistant Deputy Director

Michelle.Touhey@dhcs.ca.gov

Lead Over Administration & Outreach Section and Budget Trailer Bill Legislation

Rafaela Casillas, Assistant to the Deputy Director & Assistant Deputy Director

Rafaela.Casillas@dhcs.ca.gov

(Scheduling)

Legislative Advocacy & Consulting Section 1

Ruy Laredo, Chief (Ruy.Laredo@dhcs.ca.gov

Legislative Coordinators

Proposed Legislation and Legislative Inquiries

Maria Romo-Kerr (Maria.RomoKerr@dhcs.ca.gov)

  • Eligibility
  • Family Planning
  • Office of Medicare Innovation & Integration
  • Quality & Population Health Management
  • Tribal Affairs

Vacant (Ruy Laredo covering)

  • Capitated Rates 
  • Managed Care

Dan Scott (Dan.Scott@dhcs.ca.gov)

  • Communications 
  • Licensing & Certification
  • Pharmacy Benefits
  • Provider Enrollment
  • Safety Net Financing
  • Third Party Liability & Recovery

Legislative Analysts

Constituent Issues, Bill Assignments, Legislative Inquiries, Legislative Reports

Legislative Advocacy & Consulting Section 2

Caitlin Nord, Chief (Caitlin.Nord@dhcs.ca.gov)

Legislative Coordinators

Proposed Legislation and Legislative Inquiries

Amy Springmeyer (Amy.Springmeyer@dhcs.ca.gov)

  • Clinical Assurance
  • Legal Services 
  • Local Government Financing 
  • Medi-Cal Behavioral Health 
  • Strategic Partnerships 

Rachel Pritchard (Rachel.Pritchard@dhcs.ca.gov

  • Benefits 
  • CA-MMIS Operations
  • Enterprise Data & Information Management
  • Enterprise Technology Services
  • Provider Rates
  • Strategic Planning & Workforce Development

Kristen Webb (Kristen.Webb@dhcs.ca.gov)

  • Administration
  • Administrative Hearings and Appeals
  • Audits and Investigations 
  • Civil Rights
  • Community Services
  • Dental
  • Integrated Systems of Care
  • Office of Compliance

Legislative Analysts

Constituent Issues, Bill Assignments, Legislative Inquiries, Legislative Reports

Administration & Outreach Section

Melinda Castro, Chief (Melinda.Castro@dhcs.ca.gov)

  • Appointee Confirmation Process
  • Internal Operations 
  • Stakeholder Announcements

Jillian Rice (Jillian.Rice@dhcs.ca.gov), Engagement Analyst

  • Legislative Hearings and Briefings
  • Public Records Act Liaison
  • Retirement Resolutions
  • State and Federal Member, Capitol and District Office Relations 
  • Training Coordinator

The Office of Legislative and Governmental Affairs (LGA) facilitates, coordinates, and advocates for the development and enactment of legislation in the interest of public health. As a key player in carrying out the Department of Health Care Services’ mission to preserve and improve the health status of all Californians, LGA assists in the development and refinement of the State’s health care laws. LGA performs its role through various functions.

1501 Capitol Avenue

(916) 440-7500 FAX: (916) 440-7510

Mailing address: MS 0006, PO Box 997413, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413