Newsom administration draws fire over no-bid Kaiser Permanente contract

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California would hand Kaiser Permanente a no-bid statewide contract to serve Medi-Cal enrollees under a deal struck behind closed doors by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration, raising questions among other health care plans about the preferential treatment of a generous supporter of the governor.

The secrecy of the special accommodation for Kaiser outraged other providers, some of which are in the middle of a public bidding process as the state overhauls its health care program that serves nearly 14 million low-income residents. Meanwhile, local health plans say the contract will allow Kaiser