What AB 2348 does
An act to amend Sections 14184.205 and 14184.206 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is in part governed by, and funded pursuant to, federal Medicaid program provisions.
Existing law, subject to implementation of the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, requires the department to implement an enhanced care management (ECM) benefit designed to address the clinical and nonclinical needs on a whole-person-care basis for certain target populations of Medi-Cal beneficiaries enrolled in Medi-Cal managed care plans. Under existing law, target populations include, among others, high utilizers with frequent hospital admissions, short-term skilled nursing facility stays, or emergency room visits, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
This bill would recast the definition of ECM, referring to community-based, high-touch coordination and comprehensive care management services, as specified. The bill would delete certain provisions that designate 2022 or 2023 timelines for commencing ECM coverage, depending on whether or not a Medi-Cal managed care plan operates in a county in which the Whole Person Care pilot program or the Health Home Program was implemented.
Existing law, subject to CalAIM implementation, authorizes a Medi-Cal managed care plan to elect to cover community supports. Under existing law, community supports that the department is authorized to approve include, among others, housing transition navigation services and medically supportive food and nutrition services.
This bill would require the department to publish and maintain policy guides and all-plan letters on its internet website that define model coverage standards and policy for each community support, to engage stakeholders, to provide ongoing technical assistance, and to establish a standard timeline and process for regular updates to community supports policy guides, as specified. The bill would require a Medi-Cal managed care plan to adopt community supports policies, and to educate its in-network community support providers, as specified.
The bill would require the department to publish certain information on ECM and community supports utilization data on the department’s internet website on a quarterly basis, to the extent feasible, until January 1, 2032. The bill would require the department, by March 31, 2029, to provide to the legislative committees specified information in writing necessary to inform legislative consideration of transitioning community supports to benefits that are required to be covered under the Medi-Cal program. The bill would make other technical changes to the ECM and community support provisions.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, August 27, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Bonta introduced AB 2348 on February 19, 2026. The text was amended 5 times, 2 in the Assembly and 3 in the Senate, and heard in 6 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 26, 2026: 78 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 24, 2026: 40 ayes, 0 noes.
- Assembly Floor, August 25, 2026: 78 ayes, 0 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Health, April 14, 2026: Do pass as amended, and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 16-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass., 15-0.
- Senate Health, June 24, 2026: Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 11-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 3, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass, 7-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 2348
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 19, 2026 lists 56 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. When Assembly Health first listed positions on April 10, 2026, the count was 32 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 19, 2026 it was 56 to 0.
In support: 18 Reasons; AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Alameda County Community Food Bank; Alliance for Children's Rights; Alzheimer's Association; Alzheimer's Greater Los Angeles; Alzheimer's Orange County; Alzheimer's San Diego; and 48 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on August 31, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for health care organizations
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The health care group at Capitol Axis handles that for health care clients.
Questions about AB 2348
What does AB 2348 do?
This bill would recast the definition of ECM, referring to community-based, high-touch coordination and comprehensive care management services, as specified. The bill would delete certain provisions that designate 2022 or 2023 timelines for commencing ECM coverage, depending on whether or not a Medi-Cal managed care plan operates in a county in which the Whole Person Care pilot program or the Health Home Program was implemented.
Has AB 2348 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on August 31, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes AB 2348?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 19, 2026 lists 56 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. Supporters include 18 Reasons; AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Alameda County Community Food Bank.
What happens next with AB 2348?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect.