Healthcare Groups Oppose State-Proposed Cuts

June 26, 2008

SACRAMENTO – Several health groups have expressed disappointment over the state government’s plan to slash the budget on healthcare. The health coalition, which included Catholic Healthcare West – the largest private hospital chain – and the California Medical Association, are protesting the intended move and said that they plan to hold rallies to campaign against it. The California Medical Association had recently launched a television campaign to oppose the said budget cut.

The group said the proposed cuts, which would reduce MediCal spending by more than $1.1 billion, would result in an increase in the number of the uninsured by 1 million. In addition, the state cut will also raise the cost of medical coverage and could lead to more hospital closures, the group said.

According to a Health Access report, the proposed budget would create restriction on public health programs thereby pushing the ranks of the uninsured to 7.5 million people over the next three years.

The report also mentioned that in Los Angeles County alone, nearly 238,000 children and 170,000 low-income working adults would be affected, leading to denial of their state-paid healthcare.