County Medical Rule Scares Off Potential Recipients

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published February 18, 2009 at 6:11 AM PST

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

There are more than 600,000 uninsured people in San Diego County. Many of them are eligible to receive medical services from the county. But the application process, including a requirement for reci

Maureen Cavanaugh : It's meant as a safety net for people who need health care but can't qualify for other programs. But San Diego's County Medical Services seems to be tangling applicants in that net with a new, controversial requirement.

Critics say it's always been too hard to apply for County Medical Services assistance and they say, too few people are accepted into the program. Now, the requirement that applicants allow the county to place a lien on their houses seems to be a deal-breaker for some ailing people who need the help but don't want to lose their homes.

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Guest

Amita Sharma , KPBS investigative reporter.