Re: Lawsuit against state targets Medi-Cal cutbacks

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/10/04/3958070/lawsuit-against-state-targets.html

Letters to the Editor

The Sacramento Bee

viewpoints@sacbee.com

October 4, 2011

Dear Editor:

You recently reported on the Medi-Cal lawsuit. This lawsuit is of timely interest as it opens the Supreme Court term with a case that affects the 7.5 million Medi-Cal patients. As a community member, I agree with the need to hold the Department of Health Care Services accountable for violating federal law. The 10% cut in Medi-Cal reimbursement proposal isn’t fair: the state is trying to pass legislation without abiding by federal Medicaid law of “Equal Access Provision.”

What people don’t realize are the potential consequences that DHCS hasn’t studied or won’t disclose. Income is inherently linked with health status: poorer families report poorer health ¹, and are more likely to seek care². Safety-net providers aiding the poorest income groups are greatly dependent on Medi-Cal funds³. Lowering reimbursement not only reduces monetary incentive to accept Medi-Cal patients, but also threatens stability of Medi-Cal-dependent clinics, thus impairing patients’ access to quality care.

One thing that could really make a difference is increased transparency. If DHCS believes reimbursement reduction is “sufficient to enlist enough providers” for care and services to the lowest income groups, they should provide evidence to justify their actions. Patients deserve to know how DHCS’s plan will affect their health.

Regards,

Karen Yu