AB 2160: Medi-Cal: lactation services.

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 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 requires the department to streamline and simplify existing Medi-Cal program procedures to improve access to lactation supports and breast pumps among Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

This bill would require the department to, by July 1, 2027, issue updated Medi-Cal guidance that clarifies Medi-Cal coverage for lactation services. The bill would also require the guidance to, among other things, clarify Medi-Cal coverage policies for a continuum of lactation services, including health education related to lactation, basic lactation support, and clinical lactation consultation. The bill would require the department to seek stakeholder input on draft guidance prior to issuing the guidance. The bill would make the implementation of these provisions contingent to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals are obtained.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“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 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 488, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. August 28, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
4. August 24, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6408.).
5. August 20, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. August 20, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).
7. August 18, 2026Ordered to special consent calendar.
8. August 13, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
9. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).
10. August 3, 2026In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
11. June 25, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
12. June 16, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.