Ahead of the unveiling of the 2026-2027 state budget, more than 50 groups have joined together in support of preserving essential dental care across the state. Last year, lawmakers stayed a $1 billion cut to the program for one year, but one third of funding for the Medi-Cal Dental program is set to be eliminated on July 1, 2026, which would bring the program to 1990s funding levels and would have catastrophic impacts on millions of patients.
Dental funding makes up just 1.5% of Medi-Cal program funding, but is facing 15% of Medi-Cal budget cuts.These cuts also leave federal matching funds on the table, costing California approximately $576 million.
California would drop to the 48th lowest Medicaid dental reimbursement rates for children in the country.
“In 2016, voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 56, which increased funding for Medi-Cal Dental and led to a historic expansion in access to care for millions of patients,” said Dr. Robert Hanlon, president of the California Dental Association. “These cuts are deeply harmful, incredibly disproportionate and defy the will of the voters. Lawmakers must treat dental care as essential health care and prevent these cuts from taking effect in the next budget.”