A new Congressional report says California stands to lose more than $2 billion a year if the Bush Administration's proposed Medicaid changes are approved. San Diego hospitals warn the impact could be severe. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The Medicaid program helps fund graduate medical education at teaching hospitals like UCSD. That funding would be eliminated under the proposed rule changes. Federal payments for some prenatal services and mental health treatments could also be cut.
Steve Escoboza heads up the Hospital Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties. He says these changes put the public safety net at risk.
Escoboza : There just are no places for vulnerable populations to go to get the care they need. And I think once that infrastructure is gone, it is nearly impossible to bring them back.
Escoboza says his group will travel to Washington next month to urge lawmakers to vote against the proposals.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
