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Assembly subcommittee hears DHCS on Medi‑Cal shortfall, March cash loan and rising pharmacy costs
Summary
The Assembly Subcommittee 1 on Health heard Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Baas detail a March interim cash loan, a requested supplemental loan, and the main drivers of higher Medi‑Cal spending—enrollment growth tied to pandemic-era eligibility changes, increased pharmacy costs and managed care trends.
The Assembly Subcommittee 1 on Health heard Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Director Michelle Baas review the department's fiscal outlook and explain why the administration activated an interim cash loan on March 4 to keep Medi‑Cal payments flowing.
Baas told the panel that DHCS and the Department of Finance activated a $3.44 billion medical provider interim payment loan on March 4 to manage cash flow and ensure providers and plans are paid on time. The administration is also requesting an additional $2.8 billion consistent with a projected current‑year shortfall identified in the governor's budget, she said.
The subcommittee chair said transparency is essential as lawmakers examine the request. Legislative Analyst Office analyst Ryan Miller and Department of Finance staff joined the panel to provide context and answer members' questions.
DHCS…
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