A healthcare coalition recently filed a ballot measure for the November 2024 election that would permanently expand funding for California’s Medi-Cal program.
The measure aims to increase Medi-Cal dental reimbursement rates, support student loan repayments and workforce initiatives and improve access to care, according to a Sept. 14 news release.
If passed, the state's dental reimbursement rates would begin receiving more funds in 2026. The increased reimbursements would amount to a 10-15 percent increase in the program's total budget and would focus on restorative and specialty adult services, the California Dental Association said.
The coalition is proposing a permanent “managed care organization” tax on health insurers to support the program's increased funding.
The Coalition to Protect Access to Care, which includes the California Dental Association and other healthcare organizations, will begin collecting signatures this fall to qualify for the ballot.
Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, is the state's largest healthcare insurer, providing coverage to 15 million residents.