Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA)

Office Updates#

Health Care Affordability Advisory Committee – Special Purchaser Recruitment Period#

The Office of Health Care Affordability is currently seeking a health care purchaser perspective for membership in the Health Care Affordability Advisory Committee. If interested, please complete the solicitation form by June 30, 2026.  

This solicitation will fill one vacancy.

The selected member will serve a two-year term from August 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028, and may apply for reappointment thereafter. 

New Patient and Consumer Forum on Health Care Affordability#

The Office of Health Care Affordability hosted a new public meeting, the Patient and Consumer Forum on Health Care Affordability on March 10, 2026. You can find more details on the meeting homepage.

Hospital Market Competition Study#

In October 2024, Director Elizabeth Landsberg announced an investigative study of hospital market competition in Monterey County after two years of public testimony from consumers about the high cost of hospital care and several months of OHCA analyzing hospital financial data. To assist in the investigation and author the report, OHCA engaged health care economic experts, Arnold Analytics.

The report investigates potential reasons behind why hospital prices in the county are among the highest in California and the nation, looking at data relevant to three Monterey County hospitals: Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP), Natividad Medical Center, and Salinas Valley Medical Center (SVHMC).

The findings conclude that a significant lack of market competition is the main driver of these high prices, rather than higher operating costs or superior quality of care. The report highlights the financial impact on local families, workers, and employers and includes additional policies for consideration.  Read the study in its entirety: Health Care Market Competition in Monterey County

Behavioral Health Spending Measurement#

• OHCA released the Proposed Behavioral Health Spending Definition and Measurement Methodology for public comment on August 4, 2025 and public comments were accepted until September 3, 2025.
• Read the Notice of Publication and the Proposed Behavioral Health Spending Definition and Measurement Methodology, including the associated code set.

Statutes & Regulations#

HCAI and OHCA program enabling statutes and regulations (existing and proposed).