California's Reproductive Health Access Demonstration
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DHCS is seeking federal approval to strengthen the State's reproductive health provider safety net, with an emphasis on ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services as well as the services and supports to access these services by addressing health-related social needs (HRSNs).
Through a new Section 1115 demonstration, titled California's Reproductive Health Access Demonstration (CalRHAD), DHCS is requesting expenditure authority under Section 1115(a)(2) to provide grants to reproductive health providers for enhancing capacity and access to sexual and reproductive health services and promoting the sustainability of California's reproductive health provider safety net, for the benefit of individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal and other Californians who currently face barriers to such access.
California is proposing to create a new CalRHAD grant program for providers to enhance capacity and access for sexual and reproductive health services – including family planning – for individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal and other individuals who may need assistance to access such services. Providers that receive CalRHAD grants would not be permitted to use those funds for abortion services. California currently covers abortion services for individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal and others using State funds, without federal Medicaid matching funds.
DHCS is seeking public comment on the CalRHAD Section 1115 request from March 16 through April 17, 2023. See below for how to submit public comments for consideration. DHCS welcomes all public comments.
State Public Comment Opportunities
The draft CalRHAD Section 1115 application is available for public review during the 30-day public comment period from March 16 through April 17, 2023.
The 30-day public comment period for the CalRHAD Section 1115 application will take place from Thursday, March 16, 2023, through Monday, April 17, 2023. To be assured consideration prior to submission to CMS, comments must be received no later than 11:59 PM (Pacific Time) Monday, April 17, 2023. Please note that comments will continue to be accepted after April 17, 2023, but DHCS may not be able to consider those comments prior to the initial submission of the CalRHAD application to CMS.
DHCS is inviting comments from stakeholders during two upcoming public hearing webinars, email, and/or mail.
- Public Hearing. DHCS will host the following public hearings to solicit stakeholder comments. The public hearings will be held electronically to promote social distancing and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The meetings will have online video streaming and telephonic conference capabilities to ensure statewide accessibility.
- Wednesday, March 29 - First Public Hearing
- Call-in information: (312) 626-6799 or (888) 788-0099 (Toll
Free)
- Webinar ID: 934 7718 5979
- Passcode: 032923
- Callers do not need an email address to use the phone option and do not need to register in advance.
- Monday, April 3 - Second Public Hearing
- Call-in information: (312) 626-6799 or (888) 788-0099 (Toll Free)
- Webinar ID: 040323
- Passcode: 040323
- Callers do not need an email address to use the phone option and do not need to register in advance
- Email. You may send comments to 1115Waiver@dhcs.ca.gov; please indicate "CalRHAD Section 1115 Application" in the subject line of the email message.
- Mail-In. You may send written comments to the following address; please indicate "CalRHAD Section 1115 Application" in the written message:
Department of Health Care Services
Director's Office
Attn: René Mollow and Jacey Cooper
P.O. Box 997413, MS 0000
Sacramento, CA 95899-7413
You may request a copy of the proposed Section 1115 application for CalRHAD and/or a copy of submitted public comments related CalRHAD by sending a written request to the mailing or email address listed above.
For individuals with disabilities, DHCS will provide assistive devices such as sign-language interpretation, real-time captioning, note takers, reading or writing assistance, and conversion of training or meeting materials into Braille, large print, audiocassette, or computer disk. To request such services or copies in an alternate format, please call or write:
Director's Office
P.O. Box 997413, MS 0000
Sacramento, CA 95899-7413
(916) 440-7400
Email: 1115Waiver@dhcs.ca.gov
Please note, the range of assistive services available may be limited if requests are received less than ten working days prior to the meeting or event.
After DHCS reviews comments submitted during this State public comment period, the CalRHAD Section 1115 demonstration will be submitted to CMS. Upon submission to CMS, a copy of the proposed CalRHAD Section 1115 demonstration will be published on this webpage. Interested parties will also have the opportunity to officially comment on the CalRHAD Section 1115 demonstration during the federal public comment period; the submitted application will be available for comment on the CMS website (California Waivers List).
General Resources
