California officials say the state won't receive enough federal stimulus money to avoid raising taxes and cutting social spending. As a result, three-million Californians on Medi-Cal will lose some health benefits. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
Nine different Medi-Cal benefits will be eliminated. These include dental care, optometry, and psychological services.
The cuts will affect adults, seniors, and the disabled on Medi-Cal. The changes will go into effect July 1st.
Anthony Wright directs the non-profit group Health Access California .
"Some people will just delay care and have a worse outcome," says Wright. "Others will find other ways to get that care, but that will then have an increased burden on the healthcare system as a whole."
California will be cutting Medi-Cal at the same time it's receiving federal stimulus money to expand healthcare. State officials warn the souring economy could make things worse.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News
