A Pivotal Moment for Medi-Cal
With millions of Medi-Cal members struggling to get the health care they need, a distinguished group of health care leaders from across California has come together to launch the Future of Medi-Cal Commission to develop a state plan for strengthening and protecting this vital program.
The California Health Care Foundation is proud to support this critical initiative alongside The California Endowment, California Wellness Foundation, and The SCAN Foundation.
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Medi-Cal does much more than just provide access to health care. It is a pillar of the safety net in California: No other program plays as big of a role or touches as many lives. In the face of federal cuts, the easiest thing to do would be just to pare back. But Medi-Cal is too important for that. Now is the time to take a hard look at how Medi-Cal is working — and to take this opportunity not just to protect this program, but to sustain and strengthen it so millions of Californians can get the care they need.
—Dr. Mark Ghaly, CoChair
A Bold Vision for Medi-Cal’s Future
The 29-member commission is developing a bold, 10-year vision and actionable roadmap for Medi-Cal, aimed at ensuring every Californian who needs affordable, high-quality health care services can continue to access the services they rely on to stay healthy.
The commission is cochaired by Dr. Mark Ghaly, former secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, and Ann O’Leary, former chief of staff to the governor of California. They work alongside 27 commissioners who are experts in state and federal health policy, as well as leaders representing Medi-Cal members, providers, managed care plans, health care workers, and community-based organizations.
The commission will develop a set of concrete recommendations for the program by January 2027. Opportunities for Medi-Cal members to engage with the commission are also in development.
Call for Bold Ideas
To support the commission’s work, CHCF is seeking bold ideas for preserving and strengthening Medi-Cal. We’re inviting policy experts, researchers, health care leaders, and innovators to submit proposals for transformative solutions with a 5- to 10-year time horizon.
CHCF will award up to $50,000 each for up to five selected submissions to develop full papers that will inform the commission’s deliberations. Topics include innovative financing approaches, reimagining managed care, new payment methodologies, and state-federal-county relationships.
Learn more about the Call for Bold Ideas and how to submit your proposal →
Why This Matters
Medi-Cal has served as the cornerstone of California’s health care system for decades, providing vital health coverage to almost 15 million people — more than one in three Californians. Over half of Californians say the program is “personally important” to them, with a majority saying they have either received Medi-Cal benefits themselves or have family members who have.
In the 60 years since the program was created, Medi-Cal has evolved and expanded to meet California’s changing needs. But this growth has also created profound complexity that is making it increasingly challenging for patients to navigate and for providers to deliver seamless, high-quality care. With significant fiscal pressures on the horizon, California has a pivotal opportunity and responsibility to modernize the program — and ensure it can serve every Californian who depends on it.
Everyone in California benefits when Medi-Cal is strong and effective. That’s why this program is supported by huge majorities of Californians from across the political spectrum. California has a long tradition of bold innovation. Now more than ever, we need to make sure Medi-Cal delivers on its promise — not just today, but for the next generation of Californians.
—Ann O’Leary, CoChair
