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AB-2036 • 2026

Medi-Cal: federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.

Medi-Cal: federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.

Healthcare
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Patel
Last action
2026-04-13
Official status
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on the financial impact or the number of health centers that might use this new option.

Medi-Cal Changes for Health Centers

This law allows federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs) to choose a single payment rate instead of multiple rates.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows FQHCs and RHCs with multiple payment rates to consolidate them into one uniform rate for all services.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that receive Medi-Cal funding.
  • Rural health clinics (RHCs) that provide care under the Medi-Cal program.

Terms To Know

Medi-Cal
A government program in California that helps low-income people pay for medical care.
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
A health center that gets special funding from the federal government to serve people who don't have much money.
Rural Health Clinic (RHC)
A clinic in rural areas that provides medical care and can get extra help from the government.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how many FQHCs or RHCs will choose to use this new option.
  • It is unclear if these changes will affect other aspects of Medi-Cal funding.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-13 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  2. 2026-03-17 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  3. 2026-03-16 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.

  4. 2026-03-16 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  5. 2026-02-18 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 20.

  6. 2026-02-17 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2036, as amended, Patel.
Medi-Cal: federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.
Under existing law, to the extent that federal financial participation is available, federally qualified health center (FQHC) services and rural health clinic (RHC) services are covered Medi-Cal benefits. Under existing law,
FQHC and RHC services are reimbursed on a per-visit basis, as specified.
FQHCs and RHCs receive a per-visit prospective payment system (PPS) rate for each visit. Existing
law provides different methods by which an FQHC or RHC may establish a PPS.
This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
This bill would authorize an FQHC or RHC that has multiple PPS rates to elect to consolidate those rates into a single PPS rate to be applied uniformly for all FQHC and RHC services.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF