Medi-Cal.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the bill aims to improve health outcomes or the exact nature of the improvements beyond engaging stakeholders and focusing on certain types of hospitals.

Medi-Cal Program Improvements

This law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to work with various stakeholders when developing a strategy to improve hospital care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries, focusing on rural, critical access, and public hospitals.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the department to engage with relevant stakeholders, including hospitals, cities, counties, organizations representing these groups, and other affected parties, in creating a comprehensive hospital value strategy.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who receive healthcare through Medi-Cal
• Hospitals that provide care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries
• The State Department of Health Care Services

Terms To Know

Medi-Cal

A government program that helps low-income people pay for medical care.

Critical Access Hospitals

Small hospitals in rural areas that get special help from the government to stay open and provide essential services.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much money will be spent on these improvements.
• It is unclear exactly which stakeholders beyond those listed will be involved in the strategy development process.

Official Summary Text

AB 2355, as introduced, Jeff Gonzalez.
Medi-Cal.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed by, and funded pursuant to, federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law, the Budget Act of 2025, appropriates funds to the department to create a comprehensive hospital value strategy to advance access to high-quality inpatient and outpatient hospital services, financially incentivize appropriate care delivery, and improve health outcomes for Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
In developing the comprehensive hospital value strategy described above, this bill would require the department to engage with relevant stakeholders with firsthand experience, including, but not limited to, hospitals, cities, counties, cities and
counties, organizations representing these groups, and other affected stakeholders as the department deems necessary. The bill would require the department to ensure that the comprehensive hospital value strategy includes a focus on rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, and public hospitals.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF