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New Survey Reveals Both Widespread Satisfaction And Problems With Medi-Cal

New Survey Reveals Both Widespread Satisfaction And Problems With Medi-Cal
A new survey from the California HealthCare Foundation shows Medi-Cal enrollees generally like the program, but have problems seeing specialists.

A new survey finds nearly seven out of 10 people on Medi-Cal are happy with the kind of care they receive. But the survey also reveals a major shortcoming.

The California HealthCare Foundation survey polled more than 1,000 Medi-Cal enrollees.

Most people said it was easy to find a primary care doctor who accepts Medi-Cal. But nearly one out of three enrollees said it was tough to find a specialist.

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That problem may get worse, when an estimated three million more people will be eligible for Medi-Cal in 2014.

The Foundation's Chris Perrone said California has some work to do.

"The state has a number of challenges, both in the near term and in the long term, to provide good access to care for its current enrollees, and also to the newly eligible," Perrone said.

About 7.5 million Californians receive Medi-Cal benefits. Governor Jerry Brown has proposed cutting the program to help balance the state budget.