Consumer advocates say state lawmakers made all the wrong choices in California's new budget. Advocates are especially upset over some healthcare cuts Governor Schwarzenegger made at the last minute.
The governor used his line-item veto to cut an additional $50 million from the Healthy Families program. That's on top of $144 million in cuts lawmakers already agreed to.
Anthony Wright, director of the non-profit Health Access California, says this year nearly one million children have received health, dental and vision coverage from Healthy Families. But not anymore.
"Healthy Families exists in name only," Wright said. "The program is closed to any further child trying to get coverage, and coverage is being yanked out from under hundreds of thousands of children."
Wright says up to half-million children may have to be kicked out of the program.
The governor says he won't rule out making additional cuts.
