Tania Pacheco-Werner, executive director at the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, has been appointed to the Future of Medi-Cal Commission Advisory Group, which will help shape a 10-year roadmap for sustaining and strengthening Medi-Cal in California.

She is one of 50 advisory members tasked with grounding recommendations in real-world experience, assessing potential impacts and providing feedback to the commission ahead of its 2027 report.

Laura Ramos, director of the California Water Institute, presented in December at the Association of California Water Agencies 2025 Fall Conference held in San Diego. Her spotlight session, "Regional Consolidation: A Pathway to Reliable, Safe Drinking Water," highlighted a regional consolidation feasibility study prepared by the California Water Institute for the City of Fresno to address drinking water challenges facing small water systems.

During the session, Ramos discussed how the study evaluated the technical, operational and financial requirements to integrate 12 small water systems into the City of Fresno’s public utility. The assessment examined infrastructure needs, water demand, capital costs and long-term rate impacts, while identifying viable funding pathways. The presentation underscored the California Water Institute’s role in advancing practical solutions to improve water reliability and protect public health.