What AB 2565 does
An act to add Section 14132.967 to 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 through fee-for-service (FFS) or managed care delivery systems. The Medi-Cal program is in part governed by, and funded pursuant to, federal Medicaid program provisions.
Under existing law, pharmacist services are a benefit under the Medi-Cal program, subject to federal approval, as specified. Existing law authorizes the department to provide and administer Medi-Cal pharmacy services under a single statewide FFS delivery system, commonly known as the Medi-Cal Rx program. The department has implemented a transition of Medi-Cal pharmacy services, through Medi-Cal Rx, from managed care to FFS as a result of a 2019 executive order by the Governor.
This bill would require the department to issue guidance clarifying Medi-Cal managed care plan obligations to cover pharmacist services, as specified. The bill would require the department to update its model evidence of coverage to explicitly include coverage of pharmacist services. The bill would also require the department to take appropriate corrective action for failure to comply with existing provisions of law relating to Medi-Cal coverage of pharmacist services or the issued guidance. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific these provisions by means of all-plan letters, plan letters, or other similar instructions, without taking any further regulatory action.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, August 24, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Wallis introduced AB 2565 on February 20, 2026. The text was amended 2 times, and heard in 5 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, May 14, 2026: 77 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 20, 2026: 39 ayes, 0 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Health, April 21, 2026: Do pass as amended, and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 16-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 6, 2026: Do pass. To Consent Calendar., 14-0.
- Senate Health, June 3, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 9-0.
- Senate Appropriations, June 15, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass, 7-0.
Who supports and opposes AB 2565
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 14, 2026 lists 5 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. When Assembly Health first listed positions on April 18, 2026, the count was 1 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 14, 2026 it was 5 to 0.
In support: California Pharmacists Association (sponsor); California Access Coalition; California Association of Medical Product Suppliers; California Society of Health-System Pharmacists; Equality California.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on August 27, 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 pharmaceutical 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 pharma group at Capitol Axis handles that for pharmaceutical clients.
Questions about AB 2565
What does AB 2565 do?
This bill would require the department to issue guidance clarifying Medi-Cal managed care plan obligations to cover pharmacist services, as specified. The bill would require the department to update its model evidence of coverage to explicitly include coverage of pharmacist services. The bill would also require the department to take appropriate corrective action for failure to comply with existing provisions of law relating to Medi-Cal coverage of pharmacist services or the issued guidance. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific these provisions by m
Has AB 2565 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on August 27, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes AB 2565?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 14, 2026 lists 5 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. Supporters include California Pharmacists Association (sponsor); California Access Coalition; California Association of Medical Product Suppliers.
What happens next with AB 2565?
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.