UC Davis Health Topping-Out Signals Major Bed Expansion as Covered California Reports 205,610 Enrollees in Region

ByBrian “Weence” Bateman

Sacramento, CA – March 10, 2026 – UC Davis Health marked a major hospital construction milestone as Covered California closed enrollment with 205,610 enrollees locally.

Two major health system developments are shaping care access in Sacramento: UC Davis Health has reached a key construction milestone on its long-term hospital expansion, and Covered California has closed open enrollment with updated regional enrollment figures.

UC Davis Health Marks Structural Milestone

UC Davis Health announced that its 14-story California Tower has officially topped out at its Sacramento medical campus near 45th and X streets. The milestone means the building’s structural frame is complete, marking visible progress on the system’s multi-year hospital replacement project.

The new tower is part of a broader rebuild expected to open to patients in 2030. Project plans describe expanded operating rooms, additional imaging capacity and larger clinical areas for services such as pharmacy and burn care. The development is also expected to add approximately 334 inpatient beds.

While the milestone does not immediately change services for current patients, the additional beds and modernized clinical space are intended to address growing demand for specialty and inpatient care in the Sacramento region over the coming decade.

Covered California Closes 2026 Open Enrollment

Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace headquartered in Sacramento, reported that about 1.93 million Californians selected or renewed coverage for 2026 during the recent open enrollment period.

Of those, 205,610 enrollees are in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley region. The marketplace reported roughly 235,055 new plan selections statewide and nearly 1.7 million renewals.

The update comes as enhanced federal premium subsidies have expired. Covered California said enrollment patterns shifted as affordability changed, though the state continues to provide financial assistance to some households to help reduce monthly premiums.

For Sacramento-area residents, the end of open enrollment means most people will need a qualifying life event, such as a move or change in household status, to enroll or switch plans outside the standard period.

What Residents Should Know

The UC Davis Health expansion is a long-term capacity project and will not alter appointment scheduling or emergency access in the near term. Covered California members can review their 2026 plan details, including premiums and provider networks, through their online accounts.

Residents seeking county-level public health updates can monitor Sacramento County Public Health for advisories and program information.

If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.

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Brian “Weence” Bateman is a health and medical writer who covers public health updates, healthcare policy, and medical developments affecting communities across the United States. He works closely with dentists and healthcare providers and focuses on making complex medical information clear, accurate, and useful for everyday readers.