Pursuant to Chapter 241, Statutes of 2006 (SB 162), effective July 1, 2007, specific programs and public health responsibilities vested within the former California Department of Health Services were transfered to the newly established California Department of Public Health, and the California Department of Health Services was renamed the California Department of Health Care Services (CDHCS).

The mission of the CDHCS is to protect and improve the health of all Californians. To fulfill its mission, the CDHCS finances and administers a number of individual health care service delivery programs, including the California Medical Assistance Program (Medi-Cal), which provides health care services to low-income persons and families who meet defined eligibility requirements.

To achieve its mission, the CDHCS has set the following goals:

• Provide health care services to low-income persons and families who meet defined eligibility requirements.
• Ensure access to comprehensive health services using public and private resources.
• Emphasize prevention-oriented health care programs that promote human health and well-being.
• Ensure appropriate and effective expenditure of public resources to serve those with the greatest health care needs.