Schiff Demanded Health Net Restore Benefits
Senator Adam Schiff urged the insurer to reinstate assisted living coverage for thousands of California residents.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Eldercare
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Senator Adam Schiff has demanded that Health Net restore assisted living benefits for 3,000 California Medicaid enrollees. The company recently terminated coverage for Assisted Living Facility Transitions and Personal Care Homemaker Services.
Why it matters
The removal of these benefits forces thousands of vulnerable residents to cover essential assisted living services entirely on their own. This coverage gap places a significant financial burden on families already relying on state-supported care.
Health Net terminated coverage for 3,000 California Medicaid enrollees. Assisted living services can cost up to $7,000 per month when paid for out of pocket.
The players
Adam Schiff
He is a U.S. Senator representing California who has advocated for the protection of state Medicaid benefits.
Health Net
This is a major managed care organization providing health services to Medicaid enrollees across California.
Eric Schmacker
He serves as the Interim CEO of Health Net and received the formal request to restore coverage.
The details
Health Net removed Assisted Living Facility Transitions and Personal Care Homemaker Services from its Community Support benefits program. This decision leaves affected enrollees responsible for substantial monthly costs that previously qualified for insurance coverage.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: Senator Schiff requested the restoration of benefits in a letter to the insurer.
January 1, 2027: Federal health care cuts are scheduled to take effect.
Culture Shift
This dispute reflects a broader struggle to maintain long-term care standards within the California Medicaid Community Support benefits program. The situation highlights the tension between private insurer cost-cutting and the state's mandate to provide essential eldercare services.
Impacted families must now plan for monthly out-of-pocket expenses reaching $7,000 to maintain their current assisted living arrangements. Residents should verify their coverage status with Health Net to understand exactly which personal care services remain active.
The takeaway
Advocates emphasize that securing long-term care requires constant vigilance as insurers periodically adjust covered services. Families should proactively review their Medicaid benefit summaries to identify potential gaps before coverage changes occur.
What happens next
Federal health care cuts are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, which may further impact service availability.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of Eldercare in the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gold Rush Cam.
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Should private health insurers be permitted to reduce coverage for assisted living services?
