AB 1949: Medi-Cal: acupuncture treatments.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including pharmacy services and drugs. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by 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 federal matching funds are provided for acupuncture.

To the extent federal financial participation is available, this bill would require the Medi-Cal program to cover up to 24 acupuncture visits per beneficiary per calendar year and would state that additional visits per calendar year may be authorized based on medical necessity.

This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 350 and SB 944 to be operative only if this bill and either or both AB 350 and SB 944 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.

This bill would make certain provisions operative only if both this bill and SB 944 is enacted and takes effect on or before January 1, 2027.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 30, 2026Vetoed by Governor.
2. September 3, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
3. August 26, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6573.).
4. August 25, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
5. August 25, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0.).
6. August 20, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. August 19, 2026Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
8. August 13, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
9. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (August 13).
10. June 22, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
11. June 11, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
12. June 3, 2026Referred to Com. on HEALTH.