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SB 944 · 2025-26

Changes Medi-Cal coverage rules for acupuncture

Official subject Medi-Cal: acupuncture.

Vetoed Vetoed Sept. 30, 2026

Plain-language summary

Makes acupuncture a covered Medi-Cal benefit, subject to utilization controls and federal funding. If federal funds are not available, acupuncture is a covered benefit subject to an appropriation and utilization controls. Under current law, acupuncture is covered only when federal matching funds are provided.

How these summaries are written

Official summary · Legislative Counsel's Digest

Describes the final version (Enrolled, Aug. 31, 2026).

Read the official summary (3 paragraphs)

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 sets forth a schedule of benefits covered under the Medi-Cal program, including acupuncture, but only to the extent that federal matching funds are provided for acupuncture.

Under this bill, acupuncture would instead be a covered Medi-Cal benefit subject to utilization controls and the availability of federal financial participation. The bill would, if federal financial participation is not available for coverage of acupuncture services, make acupuncture a covered benefit subject to an appropriation and utilization controls.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 1949 and AB 350 to be operative only if this bill and either or both AB 1949 and AB 350 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

Official title

An act to amend Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.

Veto message · Sept. 30, 2026

The Governor's message, verbatim.

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 944 without my signature.

This bill would remove the limitation that requires federal matching funds for the coverage of acupuncture services within Medi-Cal, making acupuncture a covered Medi-Cal benefit regardless of the availability of federal funds.

I appreciate the author's intent to ensure vulnerable populations continue to have access to acupuncture as a treatment option in the Medi-Cal program. However, should federal financial participation become unavailable for acupuncture services in the future, this bill would require the Department of Health Care Services to cover these services with state-only funds. This could create additional cost pressures on the State General Fund of approximately $10 million to $20 million annually.

In partnership with the Legislature this year, my administration has enacted a balanced budget that recognizes the challenging fiscal landscape our state faces while maintaining our commitment to working families and our most vulnerable communities. With significant fiscal pressures and the federal government's hostile economic policies, it is vital that we remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.

For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.

Sincerely,

Gavin Newsom

Timeline

  1. Feb. 2, 2026 Introduced
  2. May 19, 2026 Passed Senate 35 yes, 0 no
  3. Aug. 25, 2026 Passed Assembly 74 yes, 1 no
  4. Sept. 4, 2026 Enrolled and sent to the Governor
  5. Sept. 30, 2026 Vetoed by the Governor
Full official history (29 actions)
  1. Feb. 2, 2026 Introduced: Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
  2. Feb. 3, 2026 From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 5.
  3. Feb. 11, 2026 Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
  4. March 11, 2026 Set for hearing March 25.
  5. March 26, 2026 From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0. Page 3689.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
  6. March 27, 2026 Set for hearing April 13.
  7. April 13, 2026 April 13 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
  8. May 8, 2026 Set for hearing May 14.
  9. May 14, 2026 From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 4258.) (May 14).
  10. May 14, 2026 Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
  11. May 19, 2026 Passed Senate: Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 35. Noes 0. Page 4343.) Ordered to the Assembly.
  12. May 20, 2026 In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
  13. May 26, 2026 Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
  14. June 10, 2026 Coauthors revised.
  15. June 10, 2026 From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
  16. June 24, 2026 June 24 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
  17. Aug. 13, 2026 Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
  18. Aug. 13, 2026 From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 13).
  19. Aug. 13, 2026 Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
  20. Aug. 17, 2026 Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
  21. Aug. 20, 2026 Read third time and amended.
  22. Aug. 20, 2026 Ordered to third reading.
  23. Aug. 25, 2026 Passed Assembly: Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 74. Noes 1. Page 6494.) Ordered to the Senate.
  24. Aug. 25, 2026 In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
  25. Aug. 27, 2026 Ordered to special consent calendar.
  26. Aug. 28, 2026 Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
  27. Sept. 4, 2026 Enrolled and sent to the Governor: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
  28. Sept. 30, 2026 Vetoed by the Governor: Vetoed by the Governor.
  29. Sept. 30, 2026 In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.