Despite Controversy Surrounding It, Tobacco Tax Plan Easily Passes Legislature
Medical groups backed the Prop. 56 expecting the revenue to go to reimbursement rates, but they were disappointed with the final budget plan.
Los Angeles Times:
California's Tobacco Tax Spending Plan, A Major Sticking Point In The State Budget, Easily Clears Legislature
Under the spending plan, $465 million will go toward increased payments for doctors and dentists who see patients in the Medi-Cal program. Those healthcare providers had envisioned getting more money when they backed Proposition 56 last year, but Gov. Jerry Brown had resisted upping reimbursements at all for most of the budget season. (Mason, 6/15)
Los Angeles Times:
Here's How $183 Billion In Taxpayer Dollars Will Be Spent In California's New Budget
California lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a $183.2-billion state budget, a plan that broadly boosts government spending while also continuing the recent effort to build up cash reserves... While schools get the largest slice of California tax dollars, the combination of federal and state funds makes healthcare the single biggest function of state government — with a total price tag of $105.6 billion in the budget approved by the Legislature. (Myers, 6/15)