Yolo County Delays Vote on Plan to Restrict County Health Services
On Tuesday, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors delayed a vote on a proposal to eliminate county funding for health care services for undocumented immigrants while county officials try to reach an agreement with local hospitals to help fund community clinics, the Sacramento Bee reports.
County health officials said the cuts are needed to cut $1.5 million from Yolo County's health budget. Overall, the county is facing a $24 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2009-2010.
At the meeting Tuesday, physicians and health officials said that cutting services for undocumented immigrants would push them to seek care at hospital emergency departments.
The board will reconsider the proposal at its May 19 meeting.
Board Chair Mike McGowan said supervisors would approve the cuts then if the county does not finalize an agreement with hospitals about funding for clinics (Sangree, Sacramento Bee, 5/6). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.