Health care leaders launch the Future of Medi-Cal Commission to develop bold vision and concrete plan to modernize, protect Medi-Cal in the face of unprecedented federal cuts
At a pivotal moment for the 15 million Californians who rely on Medi-Cal, the Commission brings together a group of health care leaders to develop a 10-year roadmap for the program
The Commission will be co-chaired 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
SACRAMENTO — With millions of Medi-Cal members struggling to get the health care they need and unprecedented cuts to federal health care programs on the horizon, a distinguished group of health care leaders from across California have come together to launch the Future of Medi-Cal Commission to develop a state plan for modernizing and protecting the vital Medi-Cal program.
The 29-member Commission will begin meeting in January to develop 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 program. The Commission includes experts in state and federal health policy, leaders representing Medi-Cal members, providers, and managed care plans, as well as health care workers and community based organizations. See a full list of Commissioners here, including Kim Lewis, Director of California Policy at the National Health Law Program (NHeLP).
“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,” says Dr. Mark Ghaly, Co-Chair of the Future of Medi-Cal Commission and former Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS). “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.”
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. The program is the bedrock of the state’s health care safety net, supporting everything from childbirth and children’s dental visits to behavioral health treatment and nursing home care. Over half of Californians say the program is “personally important” to them, with a majority of residents 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 new fiscal pressures on the horizon, California has a pivotal opportunity and responsibility to modernize the program — and ensure it can serve every California 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,” says Ann O’Leary, Co-Chair of the Future of Medi-Cal Commission and former Chief of Staff to the Governor of California. “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.”
The Future of Medi-Cal Commission will bring together leaders from communities across California to develop an action plan for a more effective and sustainable Medi-Cal program. An advisory group of Medi-Cal stakeholders and other experts will also be formed to discuss ideas and provide feedback to the Commission (more details on nominations to the advisory group can be found here). Opportunities for Medi-Cal members to engage with the Commission are also in development and will be announced in the near future.
The Commission will begin meeting in January 2026 and will develop a set of concrete recommendations for the program by early 2027.
The work of the Commission is made possible thanks to support from the following organizations:
- The California Health Care Foundation
- The California Endowment
- The California Wellness Foundation
- The SCAN Foundation
A full list of Commissioners and more information about the Future of Medi-Cal Commission is available on the commission website: https://futureofmedi-cal.org
More information about NHeLP’s longstanding California health policy leadership can be found on the California Policy Advocacy webpage.
