2021-22 California Budget Update: Governor Newsom signs AB 133

We are excited to share that Governor Newsom signed AB 133 – the omnibus health trailer bill into law that extends current telehealth flexibilities through December 2022.

We are pleased that the final budget and related trailer bills contain the following victories for health centers and the communities they serve:

  • Health4All: Historic investment to expand Medi-Cal coverage to include income eligible Californians 50 plus years of age, regardless of immigration status as early as May 1, 2022.
  • Telehealth: Post-pandemic commitment to maintain all current telehealth flexibilities, including PPS payment for audio-only modalities, through December 31, 2022. Stakeholder process to design Medi-Cal telehealth policy for January 2023 and beyond.
  • Workforce: Significant health care workforce investments coupled with the launch of the new Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) will bring forward greater diversification of primary care and behavioral health workforce.

THANK YOU for your unwavering commitment to this issue and your collective advocacy efforts. Together, we have enlightened the Governor and Legislature about the important role telehealth and telephonic care play in creating an equitable healthcare delivery system.


CaliforniaHealth+ Advocates 2021 Sponsored Bills


SB 316 (Eggman): Same Day Visit

Currently, CHCs may bill for a behavioral health visit or a physical health visit in a 24hour period, but will not be reimbursed for both. This means that patients with a medically necessary behavioral health condition must wait 24 hours before they can be seen for a visit if they already obtained a physical health visit on that same day. This restriction undermines a clinic’s ability to provide or expand behavioral health services that are in even greater demand as a result of this pandemic. SB 316 would ensure that FQHCs and RHCs are adequately compensated for the care they provide and can continue to strengthen care coordination and integration for the millions of patients our systems serve.

Status: Assembly Floor

For more information on the State Budget or sponsored bills please contact Beth Malinowski, Director of Government Affairs, at Beth@healthplusadvocates.org.