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Budget Cuts Threaten Access to Medicine
The state budget, which takes effect July 1, reduces the amount the state will reimburse pharmacies
for prescription drugs covered by Medi-Cal.
These cuts could force pharmacies to stop serving Medi-Cal patients because they would lose money on so many
drugs.
Pharmacies that serve a large number of Medi-Cal patients might find it impossible to stay in business,
which would impact the entire community, including
those who are not on Medi-Cal.
The budget cuts scheduled to take effect on July 1 threaten the health of Californians and will increase
the cost of healthcare for taxpayers.
Pharmacists cannot stay in business if they are forced
to sell medicines at a loss.
If Medi-Cal patients lose access to their medicines, they could
become sicker and end up in the emergency room or back
at the doctor’s office at a higher cost to taxpayers.
On this site, you’ll find more information on the proposed budget cuts
and how they will affect the health of Californians.
If you agree these cuts are bad for our state, contact
your legislators to make your views known.
Thursday, August 21, 2008 State officials plan to appeal Medi-Cal ruling(08-20) 18:04 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- State officials are planning to appeal a federal judge's decision this week that blocked 10 percent cuts in Medi-Cal fees to doctors, pharmacists and other medical
professionals. more... | Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Judge blocks state's cut in Medi-Cal feesA federal judge has blocked California's 10 percent cut in Medi-Cal fees for doctors, dentists and pharmacies, saying
the money-saving measures appear to violate federal law and would
worsen medical care for millions of poor people. more... | |
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228,596 signatures and counting
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August 20, 2008
Victory!
On August 19, a federal district court judge in Los Angeles ordered the state of California to stop the ten percent cuts to Medi-Cal providers that had gone into effect on July 1. The court found that patients and providers were being irreparably harmed by the cuts and providers had shown a high probability of success at trial on the merits of the case. The ruling is retroactive to July 1, which would suggest that pharmacies may expect refunds for underpayments.
At this point in time, it is not known if the state will appeal or what action, if any, the Administration or Legislature will take. Updates can be found at www.cpha.com or on this site.
Click here to read PAM's press release
Click here to read the court's order
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