Was Live Thursday, December 04, 2025 | 11am PST
Guest Speakers
- Raquel Saunders, MS, Section Chief, Medi-Cal Benefits and Legislation, Department of Health Care Services
- Sarah Gilbert, Chief, Office of Family Planning, Department of Health Care Services
- Eva Goodfriend-Reaño, Certified Nurse Midwife, Midwifery Clinical Chief at Alameda Health System
Related Coverage
- Amid Federal Health Cuts, California Preserves Maternal Coverage
- YouTube Playlist: Amid National Health Cutbacks, California Preserves Full Maternal Coverage
Event Overview
California is investing in one of the broadest range of maternal health benefits in the nation under Medi-Cal, its version of Medicaid, even amid federal health care cuts.
Pregnant Californians regardless of immigration status remain eligible for full Medi-Cal during pregnancy and for 12 months postpartum, yet many families still don’t know that nearly two years of medical and reproductive care are available at a time when they need it most.
Meanwhile, Family PACT — the state’s free program for family planning services including birth control, STI testing, fertility awareness, cervical cancer screening and reproductive health screening — is available for all income-qualifying Californians regardless of immigration status.
In this briefing, leaders from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will explain how Medi-Cal-covered midwife and doula services expand birthing options beyond the traditional hospital model, how Family PACT fits into the reproductive health landscape and how Californians — including those in undocumented households — can safely seek care, even as maternal health access narrows in much of the country.
Presented by ACoM
Cover Image Credit: Canva Photos