Legal News

Medi-Cal cuts prompt suit

By Richard Binder

In February, Gov. Schwarzenegger and the state Legislature enacted a budget that eliminated the provision of nine Medi-Cal ?optional benefits,? including adult dental, psychology, chiropractic, acupuncture, speech therapy, incontinence creams and washes, audiology, optometry and podiatry services. The elimination of these benefits will be effective July 1.

The California Primary Care Association sued the state of California last week seeking a writ of mandate preventing the state from eliminating these services when provided by a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Rural Health Center (RHC). Because these services are included in the definition of FQHC and RHC services under state and federal law, FQHC and RHC services are mandatory and not ?optional? Medicaid benefits, the suit said.

The suit was submitted jointly by the California Primary Care Association and two of its member health centers, Clinicas Del Camino Real, Inc. in Ventura and Southern Trinity Health Services in Trinity. They seek to have the matter heard and resolved prior to July 1.

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Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on May 05, 2009 (boomark / email).