Critics say California's new budget makes a number of painful cuts to healthcare programs. And critics fear the budget could make things worse in future years. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The budget would require families to prove their eligibility for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families twice a year. Critics say that could cause 250-thousand children to lose their healthcare coverage.
Anthony Wright directs the non-profit group Health Access California . He says the budget also calls for something that will lead to future cuts.
Anthony Wright: The governor has prioritized a rainy day fund, but has not put up the money to pay for it. So where is that money gonna come from? It's gonna come from the existing services like healthcare, like education.
The budget also cuts the rate Medi-Cal pays doctors and hospitals. That change was already approved months ago…but the courts have recently blocked it.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
