California SB944: Medi-Cal: acupuncture.

What the bill says

An act to amend Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal Medi-Cal: acupuncture. 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 by, and funded pursuant to, federal Medicaid program provisions…

From the enrolled text, August 31, 2026:

An act to amend Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal Medi-Cal: acupuncture. 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 by, and funded pursuant to, federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law sets forth a schedule of benefits covered under the Medi-Cal program, including acupuncture, but only to the extent that federal matching funds are provided for acupuncture. Under this bill, acupuncture would instead be a covered Medi-Cal benefit subject to utilization controls and the availability of federal financial participation. The bill would, if federal financial participation is not available for coverage of acupuncture services, make acupuncture a covered benefit subject to an appropriation and utilization controls. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code proposed by AB 1949 and AB 350 to be operative only if this bill and either or both AB 1949 and AB 350 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. MAJORITY NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read: …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Scott Wiener (D, SD11) · primary sponsor
• Benjamin Allen (D, SD24)
• Mike Fong (D, AD49)
• Matt Haney (D, AD17)
• Patrick Ahrens (D, AD26)
• Mia Bonta (D, AD18)
• Jessica Caloza (D, AD52)
• John Harabedian (D, AD41)
• Natasha Johnson (R, AD63)
• Stephanie Nguyen (D, AD10)
• Patel, Darshana R (D, AD76)
• LaShae Sharp-Collins (D, AD79)

Latest actions

1. September 30, 2026: In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
2. September 30, 2026: Vetoed by the Governor.
3. September 4, 2026: Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
4. August 28, 2026: Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 27, 2026: Ordered to special consent calendar.
6. August 25, 2026: In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
7. August 25, 2026: Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 74. Noes 1. Page 6494.) Ordered to the Senate.
8. August 25, 2026: Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate.
9. August 20, 2026: Ordered to third reading.
10. August 20, 2026: Read third time and amended.

Votes

• Special Consent SB944 Wiener et al. (August 28, 2026): 40 yea, 0 nay, passed
• SB 944 Wiener Senate Third Reading By Fong (August 25, 2026): 74 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Do pass as amended. (August 13, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] (June 9, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate 3rd Reading SB944 Wiener et al. (May 19, 2026): 35 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do pass (May 14, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB944?

SB944 is a bill in the California Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Medi-Cal: acupuncture.

What does SB944 do?

In its own words: An act to amend Section 14132 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal Medi-Cal: acupuncture. 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 by, and funded pursuant to, federal Medicaid program provisions…

What is the status of SB944?

Vetoed as of September 30, 2026. Latest action: In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending. (September 30, 2026).

Who sponsored SB944?

Scott Wiener (D, SD11), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB944?

On the California Legislature website: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB944