State Medi-Cal Concept Paper Open for Public Comment

On July 23, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released the Continuing the Transformation of Medi-Cal Concept Paper for a 30-day public comment period. The concept paper is intended to outline DHCS’s vision and goals beginning in 2027 after federal waivers that authorize California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) expire in December 2026.

The concept paper outlines a history of major changes to Medi-Cal over the last two decades, reviews the current priorities and progress made under the current federal waivers, and lays out the initiatives the state intends to seek federal authority to continue.

The deadline to submit feedback on the concept paper is Friday, August 22, 2025. DHCS requests comments and feedback be submitted via email to 1115Waiver@dhcs.ca.gov. DHCS has also stated that feedback will be collected during a series of stakeholder engagement meetings held in the summer.