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Quality of Life

Millions of Californians Will Lose Health Coverage Under Governor's Proposal

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says he must cut California's safety net programs in order to balance the state's budget. Critics complain his proposals would cause up to two-million Californians to lose their health insurance.

The governor wants to reduce Medi-Cal spending by 750-million dollars. Nearly one-million children, seniors, and people with disabilities would no longer get Medi-Cal coverage.

The governor is also proposing the elimination of the Healthy Families program. That would take away health, dental, and vision care from one-million children.

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Anthony Wright directs the non-profit group Health Access California.

"In total, these cuts would be the most profound rollback of coverage in the state's history," Wright says.

Wright says California could lose about two-billion dollars in federal matching funds if the governor's healthcare cuts are approved.