CA AB 543
enactedMedi-Cal: field medicine.
California · 2025-2026 Regular Session · lower
Quick answers
Did CA AB 543 pass?
Yes. CA AB 543 has been enacted into law as of 2025-10-06. Latest recorded action (2025-10-06): Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 374, Statutes of 2025.
What is CA AB 543 about?
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 and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law sets forth various provisions for Medi-Cal coverage of community health worker services, enhanced care management, and community supports, subject to any necessary federal approvals. Under existing law, these benefits are designed to, respectively, provide a link between health and social services and the community; address the clinical and nonclinical needs on a whole-person-care basis for certain target populations of Medi-Cal beneficiaries, including individuals experiencing homelessness; and provide housing transition navigation services, among other supports. This bill would set forth provisions regarding field medicine, as defined, under the Medi-Cal program for persons experiencing homelessness, as defined. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature that the field medicine-related provisions coexist with, and not duplicate, other Medi-Cal provisions, including, but not limited to, those regarding community health worker services, enhanced care management, and community supports. The bill would authorize a Medi-Cal managed care plan to elect to offer Medi-Cal covered services through a field medicine provider, as defined. Under the bill, a managed care plan that elects to do so would be required to allow a Medi-Cal member who is experiencing homelessness to receive those services directly from an in-network, contracted field medicine provider, regardless of the member's in-network assignment, as specified. The bill would also require the managed care plan to allow an in-network, contracted field medicine provider enrolled in Medi-Cal to directly refer a member who is experiencing homelessness for covered services within the appropriate network, as specified. The bill would require a managed care plan to have appropriate mechanisms, procedures, or protocols to ensure timely communication between the in-network, contracted field medicine provider, the Medi-Cal member's plan or independent practice association, and the member's primary care provider for purposes of care coordination and to prevent the duplication of services. The bill would require a managed care plan to provide a method for a Medi-Cal member to inform the managed care plan online, in person, or via telephone that the member is experiencing homelessness. The bill would require the department to inform a managed care plan if a member has indicated that they are experiencing homelessness based on information furnished on the Medi-Cal application. In the case of a Medi-Cal beneficiary who is experiencing homelessness and who receives services within the fee-for-service delivery system, the bill would require the department to reimburse a field medicine provider enrolled in Medi-Cal for providing Medi-Cal covered services. The bill would condition implementation of the above-described provisions on receipt of any necessary federal approvals and the availability of federal financial participation. The bill would require, on or before January 1, 2027, that the standard application form for insurance affordability programs include an optional question for an applicant to identify whether they are experiencing homelessness. The bill would make conforming changes to related provisions under existing law regarding the application process. The bill would also remove obsolete references within related provisions. To the extent that the bill would create new duties for counties with regard to data sharing under Medi-Cal, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Who sponsors CA AB 543?
Mark González is the primary sponsor of CA AB 543, joined by 6 cosponsors.
Description
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 and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law sets forth various provisions for Medi-Cal coverage of community health worker services, enhanced care management, and community supports, subject to any necessary federal approvals. Under existing law, these benefits are designed to, respectively, provide a link between health and social services and the community; address the clinical and nonclinical needs on a whole-person-care basis for certain target populations of Medi-Cal beneficiaries, including individuals experiencing homelessness; and provide housing transition navigation services, among other supports. This bill would set forth provisions regarding field medicine, as defined, under the Medi-Cal program for persons experiencing homelessness, as defined. The bill would state the intent of the Legislature that the field medicine-related provisions coexist with, and not duplicate, other Medi-Cal provisions, including, but not limited to, those regarding community health worker services, enhanced care management, and community supports. The bill would authorize a Medi-Cal managed care plan to elect to offer Medi-Cal covered services through a field medicine provider, as defined. Under the bill, a managed care plan that elects to do so would be required to allow a Medi-Cal member who is experiencing homelessness to receive those services directly from an in-network, contracted field medicine provider, regardless of the member's in-network assignment, as specified. The bill would also require the managed care plan to allow an in-network, contracted field medicine provider enrolled in Medi-Cal to directly refer a member who is experiencing homelessness for covered services within the appropriate network, as specified. The bill would require a managed care plan to have appropriate mechanisms, procedures, or protocols to ensure timely communication between the in-network, contracted field medicine provider, the Medi-Cal member's plan or independent practice association, and the member's primary care provider for purposes of care coordination and to prevent the duplication of services. The bill would require a managed care plan to provide a method for a Medi-Cal member to inform the managed care plan online, in person, or via telephone that the member is experiencing homelessness. The bill would require the department to inform a managed care plan if a member has indicated that they are experiencing homelessness based on information furnished on the Medi-Cal application. In the case of a Medi-Cal beneficiary who is experiencing homelessness and who receives services within the fee-for-service delivery system, the bill would require the department to reimburse a field medicine provider enrolled in Medi-Cal for providing Medi-Cal covered services. The bill would condition implementation of the above-described provisions on receipt of any necessary federal approvals and the availability of federal financial participation. The bill would require, on or before January 1, 2027, that the standard application form for insurance affordability programs include an optional question for an applicant to identify whether they are experiencing homelessness. The bill would make conforming changes to related provisions under existing law regarding the application process. The bill would also remove obsolete references within related provisions. To the extent that the bill would create new duties for counties with regard to data sharing under Medi-Cal, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
- Introduced
- 2025-03-11
- Latest action
- 2025-10-06 — Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 374, Statutes of 2025.
- Bill type
- bill
- Last updated
- —
Subjects
Sponsors
- Mark Gonzálezauthor
- Elhawarycoauthor
- Haneycoauthor
- Harabediancoauthor
- Celeste Rodriguezcoauthor
- Schiavocoauthor
- Rubiocoauthor
Committees
Not provided by source.
Action timeline
2025-02-11
Read first time. To print.
reading-1
2025-02-12
From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.
2025-02-24
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
referral-committee
2025-03-11
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2025-03-12
Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
referral-committee
2025-03-24
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-04-08
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2025-04-09
Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
referral-committee
2025-04-23
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable,referral-committee
2025-04-23
Coauthors revised.
2025-05-07
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
referral-committee
2025-05-23
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (May 23).
committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable
2025-05-27
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2025-06-02
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 1836.)
passage,reading-1,reading-3
2025-06-03
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
reading-1,referral-committee
2025-06-11
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
referral-committee
2025-06-11
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2025-06-19
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 18).
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,referral-committee
2025-06-23
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2025-07-07
In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
referral-committee
2025-08-29
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2
2025-08-29
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage
2025-09-02
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2025-09-04
Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2025-09-05
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
amendment-passage,reading-1,reading-2
2025-09-08
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
reading-1,reading-2,reading-3
2025-09-09
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2738.).
passage,reading-1,reading-3
2025-09-09
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2025-09-10
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3197.).
amendment-passage,committee-passage,committee-passage-favorable
2025-09-22
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
executive-receipt
2025-10-06
Approved by the Governor.
executive-signature
2025-10-06
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 374, Statutes of 2025.
became-law
Versions
- 02/11/25 - Introduced — 2025-02-11Compare
- 03/11/25 - Amended Assembly — 2025-03-11Compare
- 04/08/25 - Amended Assembly — 2025-04-08Compare
- 06/11/25 - Amended Senate — 2025-06-11Compare
- 06/23/25 - Amended Senate — 2025-06-23Compare
- 08/29/25 - Amended Senate — 2025-08-29Compare
- 09/04/25 - Amended Senate — 2025-09-04Compare
- 09/05/25 - Amended Senate — 2025-09-05Compare
- 09/12/25 - Enrolled — 2025-09-12Compare
- 10/06/25 - Chaptered — 2025-10-06Compare
- AB543Compare
- (document, no version)Compare
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Votes
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
2025-04-22 · pass · 16-0
Member-level votes (16)
- Chen: yes
- Patel: yes
- Rogers: yes
- Sharp-Collins: yes
- Krell: yes
- Carrillo: yes
- Celeste Rodriguez: yes
- Bonta: yes
- Flora: yes
- Mark González: yes
- Sanchez: yes
- Aguiar-Curry: yes
- Schiavo: yes
- Stefani: yes
- Patterson: yes
- Addis: yes
Do pass.
2025-05-23 · pass · 13-0
Member-level votes (15)
- Calderon: yes
- Elhawary: yes
- Dixon: yes
- Hart: yes
- Mark González: yes
- Arambula: yes
- Pacheco: yes
- Solache: yes
- Ta: yes
- Caloza: yes
- Wicks: yes
- Pellerin: yes
- Fong: yes
- Sanchez: other
- Tangipa: other
AB 543 Mark González Assembly Third Reading
2025-06-02 · pass · 78-0
Member-level votes (79)
- Rivas: yes
- Rogers: yes
- Wicks: yes
- Irwin: yes
- Arambula: yes
- Caloza: yes
- Ward: yes
- Nguyen: yes
- Patel: yes
- Solache: yes
- Chen: yes
- Bonta: yes
- McKinnor: yes
- Pacheco: yes
- DeMaio: yes
- Celeste Rodriguez: yes
- Castillo: yes
- Sanchez: yes
- Schultz: yes
- Hadwick: yes
- Lee: yes
- Bryan: yes
- Michelle Rodriguez: yes
- Mark González: yes
- Patterson: yes
- Carrillo: yes
- Muratsuchi: yes
- Papan: yes
- Jeff Gonzalez: yes
- Ransom: yes
- Wallis: yes
- Elhawary: yes
- Davies: yes
- Macedo: yes
- Sharp-Collins: yes
- Berman: yes
- Jackson: yes
- Wilson: yes
- Lackey: yes
- Bennett: yes
- Petrie-Norris: yes
- Harabedian: yes
- Ellis: yes
- Aguiar-Curry: yes
- Connolly: yes
- Quirk-Silva: yes
- Soria: yes
- Gipson: yes
- Alvarez: yes
- Hoover: yes
- Ta: yes
- Zbur: yes
- Flora: yes
- Valencia: yes
- Addis: yes
- Garcia: yes
- Gallagher: yes
- Krell: yes
- Ahrens: yes
- Stefani: yes
- Calderon: yes
- Blanca Rubio: yes
- Lowenthal: yes
- Schiavo: yes
- Gabriel: yes
- Dixon: yes
- Ávila Farías: yes
- Fong: yes
- Ramos: yes
- Pellerin: yes
- Kalra: yes
- Alanis: yes
- Haney: yes
- Hart: yes
- Boerner: yes
- Bauer-Kahan: yes
- Ortega: yes
- Bains: yes
- Tangipa: other
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
2025-06-18 · pass · 10-0
Member-level votes (11)
- Menjivar: yes
- Valladares: yes
- Wiener: yes
- Limón: yes
- Grove: yes
- Durazo: yes
- Padilla: yes
- Richardson: yes
- Rubio: yes
- Weber Pierson: yes
- Gonzalez: other
Placed on suspense file
2025-07-07 · pass · 6-0
Member-level votes (7)
- Cabaldon: yes
- Richardson: yes
- Seyarto: yes
- Caballero: yes
- Grayson: yes
- Wahab: yes
- Dahle: other
Do pass as amended
2025-08-29 · pass · 7-0
Member-level votes (7)
- Richardson: yes
- Grayson: yes
- Wahab: yes
- Dahle: yes
- Seyarto: yes
- Caballero: yes
- Cabaldon: yes
3rd Reading AB543 Mark González et al. By Rubio
2025-09-09 · pass · 40-0
Member-level votes (40)
- Richardson: yes
- Menjivar: yes
- Cortese: yes
- Jones: yes
- Weber Pierson: yes
- McNerney: yes
- Seyarto: yes
- Stern: yes
- Smallwood-Cuevas: yes
- Becker: yes
- Alvarado-Gil: yes
- McGuire: yes
- Valladares: yes
- Cervantes: yes
- Grove: yes
- Hurtado: yes
- Cabaldon: yes
- Rubio: yes
- Durazo: yes
- Laird: yes
- Padilla: yes
- Dahle: yes
- Limón: yes
- Strickland: yes
- Pérez: yes
- Reyes: yes
- Archuleta: yes
- Niello: yes
- Ochoa Bogh: yes
- Wiener: yes
- Ashby: yes
- Arreguín: yes
- Grayson: yes
- Allen: yes
- Gonzalez: yes
- Caballero: yes
- Choi: yes
- Wahab: yes
- Umberg: yes
- Blakespear: yes
AB 543 Mark González Concurrence in Senate Amendments
2025-09-11 · pass · 79-0
Member-level votes (80)
- Addis: yes
- Haney: yes
- Elhawary: yes
- Carrillo: yes
- Ransom: yes
- Berman: yes
- Bauer-Kahan: yes
- Schiavo: yes
- Alvarez: yes
- Caloza: yes
- Hoover: yes
- Nguyen: yes
- Ortega: yes
- Solache: yes
- Lowenthal: yes
- Petrie-Norris: yes
- Gabriel: yes
- Zbur: yes
- DeMaio: yes
- Hadwick: yes
- Irwin: yes
- Patel: yes
- Kalra: yes
- Sanchez: yes
- Johnson: yes
- Mark González: yes
- Gipson: yes
- Hart: yes
- Calderon: yes
- Wilson: yes
- Soria: yes
- Valencia: yes
- Celeste Rodriguez: yes
- Connolly: yes
- Papan: yes
- Bonta: yes
- Jeff Gonzalez: yes
- Alanis: yes
- Patterson: yes
- Jackson: yes
- Davies: yes
- Pellerin: yes
- Muratsuchi: yes
- Krell: yes
- Chen: yes
- Quirk-Silva: yes
- Bains: yes
- Michelle Rodriguez: yes
- Arambula: yes
- Bennett: yes
- Ávila Farías: yes
- Aguiar-Curry: yes
- Lee: yes
- Castillo: yes
- Wallis: yes
- Stefani: yes
- Ta: yes
- Blanca Rubio: yes
- Gallagher: yes
- Ellis: yes
- Macedo: yes
- McKinnor: yes
- Ramos: yes
- Rivas: yes
- Ahrens: yes
- Dixon: yes
- Rogers: yes
- Ward: yes
- Fong: yes
- Wicks: yes
- Schultz: yes
- Pacheco: yes
- Boerner: yes
- Sharp-Collins: yes
- Bryan: yes
- Harabedian: yes
- Lackey: yes
- Flora: yes
- Garcia: yes
- Tangipa: other
Related bills
No related bills recorded for this bill.
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