Doctors, hospitals, and other providers in San Diego are urging state lawmakers to pass a budget that minimizes cuts to healthcare programs. Providers say our local safety net is already at risk. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
Without a new budget, the state hasn't paid providers who treat MediCal patients since late July. What's more, critics say all of the proposed budgets have contained MediCal cuts that will hurt patient care.
Steve O'Kane heads up the
San Diego Council of Community Clinics
. His members treat some one million people a year.
O'Kane: If we can't get care, people will be walking around with communicable diseases like tuberculosis, and so when you're in the Vons shopping, you're gonna come in contact with somebody, who can affect you, as well. So it affects us all if the safety net's not there.
Governor Schwarzenegger says cutting MediCal spending must be part of a budget solution. MediCal is the state's second largest budget item, after education. Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
