Rivera

Several applicants for benefits under the Medi-Cal program and an advocacy organization working on their behalf (plaintiffs) petitioned the trial court for a writ of mandate compelling the State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to make Medi-Cal eligibility determinations within 45 days of the application date, as well as other relief. The court granted the petition in part, ordering DHCS to make Medi-Cal eligibility determinations within 45 days unless certain exceptions applied. DHCS appealed, and enforcement of the judgment has been stayed during the pendency of the appeal.

On appeal, DHCS argues principally that (1) the court should have abstained from deciding the case due to DHCS's ongoing efforts in conjunction with federal officials to reduce delays in the processing of Medi-Cal applications, and (2) no legal authority imposes a duty on DHCS to perform as the trial court directed. We conclude the court did not abuse its discretion by declining to abstain and addressing the merits of the dispute. We also conclude, however, that the provisions of California law relied on by plaintiffs and by the trial court do not impose on DHCS a duty to make all Medi-Cal…