UC Davis Health Topping-Out Signals Major Hospital Expansion as Covered California Closes Enrollment
Sacramento, CA – March 9, 2026 – UC Davis Health reached a key construction milestone while Covered California reported final 2026 enrollment totals affecting the region.
Two major developments are shaping healthcare access in Sacramento: a visible milestone in UC Davis Health’s long-term hospital expansion and new enrollment figures from Covered California that reflect shifting insurance trends in 2026.
UC Davis Health Reaches Construction Milestone
UC Davis Health recently marked the structural completion of its 14-story California Tower on its Sacramento campus near 45th and X streets. The ‘topping out’ milestone signals that the main building frame is now in place for what has been described as a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar hospital replacement project.
When it opens, the tower is expected to add roughly 334 inpatient beds along with expanded operating rooms, imaging space and additional capacity for services such as pharmacy and burn care. The project is part of a broader campus modernization plan and is projected to welcome patients in 2030.
While the milestone does not immediately change care availability, it reflects long-term planning aimed at easing pressure on hospital capacity as demand grows across the Sacramento region.
Covered California Reports 2026 Enrollment Totals
Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace headquartered in Sacramento, announced that approximately 1.93 million Californians selected or renewed coverage during the 2026 open-enrollment period.
According to the exchange, about 235,055 were new plan selections and nearly 1.7 million were renewals. In the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley region, enrollment reached 205,610.
The update comes after enhanced federal premium subsidies expired. Covered California reported that enrollment patterns shifted as affordability changed, with state-funded financial assistance helping some households maintain coverage in 2026.
What Residents Should Know
The UC Davis expansion represents a long-term investment in inpatient and specialty capacity in Sacramento’s medical district, though new services tied to the tower will come closer to its anticipated 2030 opening.
For those with marketplace insurance, open enrollment for 2026 has ended. Residents who selected or renewed coverage may want to review their current premium, deductible and provider network details. Those who did not enroll generally need a qualifying life event to sign up outside the standard enrollment window, under state rules.
If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
Sources
- https://hconews.com/2026/02/23/uc-davis-health-tops-out-california-tower-marking-structural-completion-of-3-7b-hospital-project/
- https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/california-tower-reaches-new-heights-at-topping-out-ceremony/2026/02
- https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-releases/2026/02/26/as-enhanced-federal-subsidies-expire-covered-california-ends-open-enrollment-with-state-subsidies-keeping-renewals-steady-for-now-and-new-signups-down/
