Medi-Cal: lactation services.

Education Healthcare

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Celeste Rodriguez
Last action: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify if federal approval has been obtained or funding secured.

Medi-Cal Lactation Services

This law requires Medi-Cal to update its guidance on lactation services by July 1, 2027, and clarify coverage for a range of lactation support services.

What This Bill Does

Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to issue updated Medi-Cal guidance clarifying coverage for lactation services by July 1, 2027.
Clarifies that Medi-Cal will cover health education related to lactation, basic lactation support, and clinical lactation consultation.
Allows International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) to enroll as Medi-Cal providers and bill for their services.
Requires the department to seek stakeholder input before finalizing the guidance.

Who It Names or Affects

Medi-Cal beneficiaries who need lactation support or education.
Health care providers, especially IBCLCs, who want to provide lactation services through Medi-Cal.

Terms To Know

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC): A healthcare professional certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners to provide expert breastfeeding and lactation care.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill's requirements depend on getting federal approval and funding.
It is not clear how many Medi-Cal beneficiaries will use these new services.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2026-05-27 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-26 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0.)
2026-05-19 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 7).
2026-03-02 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2160, as amended, Celeste Rodriguez.
Medi-Cal: lactation services.
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.
Existing law requires the department to streamline and simplify existing Medi-Cal program procedures to improve access to lactation supports and breast pumps among Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
This bill would require the department to, by July 1, 2027, issue updated Medi-Cal guidance that clarifies Medi-Cal coverage for lactation services. The bill would also require the guidance to, among other things, clarify Medi-Cal coverage policies for a continuum of lactation services, including health education related to
lactation, basic lactation support, and clinical lactation consultation. The bill would require the department to seek stakeholder input on draft guidance prior to issuing the guidance.
The bill would require the department to allow a lactation consultant certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to enroll as a Medi-Cal provider and bill for lactation services, as specified.
The bill would make the implementation of these provisions contingent to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals are obtained.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF