A ten percent cut in the rate Medi-Cal pays healthcare providers has gone into effect in California. A growing number of doctors say they can no longer afford to treat Medi-Cal patients. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
Doctors complain Medi-Cal rates were already the lowest of any Medicaid program in the nation. Physicians say a ten percent cut means they'll lose money on every Medi-Cal patient.
Governor Schwarzenegger says the cuts will help the state save money.
San Diego doctor Ted Mazer says the short-term savings will be eaten up by a loss in federal matching funds.
Dr. Ted Mazer: And more importantly by having people seek their care in the most expensive point of service, at the emergency room, or delay their care until they need more not less care. This is a short-term, shortsighted, stupid fix.
More than six-and-a-half million people get Medi-Cal benefits. State lawmakers are considering a number of other cuts to the program.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
