CMA Urges Legislature to Adopt State Budget that Improves Access to Care for Medi-Cal Patients May 11, 2017 Advocacy, CMA, Medi Cal Budget, CMA, Medi-Cal, Prop 56, Tobacco Tax 0 Today, Governor Jerry Brown released his revised state budget, which applies tobacco tax revenues to cover general fund responsibilities in the Medi-Cal program. In response, California Medical Association (CMA) President Ruth E. Haskins, M.D., made the following statement: “We’re disappointed that Governor Brown’s revised budget continues to ignore the clear language of the tobacco tax initiative (Proposition 56) and the will of California voters. “More than a third of Californians, including 50 percent of children in the state, rely on Medi-Cal for health care. Offering increased coverage is a hollow talking point when patients are forced to wait months to secure an appointment with a physician or dentist, can’t access a specialist or have to travel 60-plus miles to their medical appointments. “Instead of improving access to care for the 14.3 million Californians served by Medi-Cal, the budget takes tobacco tax revenues to backfill cuts to the state’s general fund contribution to Medi-Cal. This ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’ approach does nothing to improve California’s health – it maintains the unsustainable status quo and adds more patients to the back of the line in over-crowded waiting and emergency rooms. “By embracing Medicaid expansion, California has made incredible strides to reduce our uninsured population. Building on this important step, we now need to provide Medi-Cal patients with real and equal access to health care. We urge the Legislature to adopt a budget that reflects their values and dedicates Prop. 56 funds to their voter-intended purpose.” The State Legislature has until June 15 to adopt a final 2017-2018 budget. # # # Past tobacco tax-related press releases, op-eds and articles: • May 9, 2017: Press Release: Leading California Health Care Providers Call on Governor and Legislature to Keep Promise to Medi-Cal Patients • April 17, 2017: #MatchedinCA: Making dreams come true for UCR medical students • March 31, 2017: Californians with Medi-Cal face hurdles to see specialists throughout the state • March 16, 2017: Press Release: California’s physicians and dentists unveil plan to honor will of tobacco tax voters and increase patient access to health care • March 2, 2017: California grapples with ‘severe’ doctor shortage, study shows • January 12, 2017: Press Release: Leading health care groups deeply concerned that Governor’s budget proposal may decimate access to care • January 10, 2017: Press Release: Governor Brown's proposed budget ignores the will of Proposition 56 voters; further burdens Medi-Cal system Comments are closed.
