Hearing Focuses on Effect of Medi-Cal Cuts on Rural Care

At an informational hearing at Chico State University on Wednesday, state legislators from rural districts heard from health care providers and other stakeholders about how a pending 10% Medi-Cal payment cut could negatively affect health care access in the state. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. The hearing was organized by the California Legislative Rural Caucus. CMS has approved the 10% cut in Medi-Cal reimbursements, but several groups, including the California Medical Association, have filed a lawsuit to block the cuts from taking effect. At the hearing, stakeholders warned that the reimbursement cut could force doctors to stop accepting Medi-Cal patients and could lead to layoffs.

• "Medi-Cal Problems Examined at Hearing" (Mitchell, Chico Enterprise-Record, 12/1).