Medi-Cal: acupuncture treatments.

California Assembly Bill 1949 aims to expand Medi-Cal coverage to include acupuncture treatments. This means that eligible Medi-Cal recipients will be able to access acupuncture services without additional out-of-pocket costs. The bill seeks to improve healthcare options for patients who may benefit from alternative treatments.

CA AB1949 is a house bill in the California 2025-2026 Regular Session, sponsored by Alex Lee (D), currently “Vetoed” since September 30, 2026.

We track 5,060 California bills this session, 41 of them sponsored by Alex Lee.

The key recorded vote (A, August 26, 2026) ended 78–0 and passed.

Supporters of AB 1949 argue that this bill is a significant step towards holistic healthcare, providing patients with more options for pain management and wellness. They believe that including acupuncture in Medi-Cal will enhance patient care and reduce reliance on more invasive medical procedures and medications.

Critics of AB 1949 may argue that expanding Medi-Cal to cover acupuncture could lead to increased costs for the state and potential misuse of resources. They might also express concerns about the efficacy of acupuncture compared to traditional medical treatments, questioning whether it should be funded by taxpayer dollars.

Source: LegiScan roll call vote data.