CaliforniaMedi-Cal would cover up to 24 acupuncture visits with federal funding
The vetoed bill would require Medi-Cal to cover up to 24 acupuncture visits per patient each year when federal funding is available.
What it does
With federal funding, Medi-Cal would cover up to 24 acupuncture visits yearly and could approve more for medical need, without limiting eligible patients under 21. Coverage without federal funds would require state funding and SB 944 becoming law and taking effect on or before January 1, 2027.
Argument forWith federal funding, covering up to 24 visits could help Medi-Cal patients afford a course of acupuncture treatment.
Argument againstRequired coverage could increase Medi-Cal spending on acupuncture when federal funding is available, including approved visits beyond 24.
More detail
Medi-Cal would cover up to 24 acupuncture visits per patient when federal funding is available. These rules would cover people enrolled in Medi-Cal. Visits beyond 24 may be approved for medical need through the state's advance approval process. The limit would not restrict patients under 21 entitled to Medi-Cal's screening, diagnosis, and treatment services. Coverage without federal funding would depend on the Legislature setting aside money and SB 944 becoming law and taking effect on or before January 1, 2027. The 24-visit requirement would apply only in years with federal funding. The 24-visit requirement would apply per calendar year. The alternative coverage provision would depend on SB 944 taking effect on or before January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.Latest
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6573.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1949 Lee Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 25In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1949 Lee et al. By Wiener. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 25Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 20Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 19Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Jun 22In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 11From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 10
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- May 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1949 Lee Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 5367.)Passed Assembly
- May 19Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 18Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- May 14From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 14).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 29In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 20Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 16Read second time and amended.Major
- Apr 15From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 1.) (April 14).Major
- Apr 14
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 17Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Mar 16From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 16Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Feb 14From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.
- Feb 13Read first time. To print.Introduced
Healthcare