Save Medi-Cal Adult Dental

Background

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2008-2009 budget first proposed the elimination of Medi-Cal optional benefits. Although the 2008-2009 budget was not signed until September of 2008 – a historic three months late – optional benefits were retained. For years, various administrations have proposed eliminating Medi-Cal optional benefits in lean budget years. Consistently, the California State Legislature has rejected these proposals. The adult Denti-Cal program, the largest optional benefit, is supported by both Democrats and Republicans who recognize the value of it to not only patients, but providers.

As the state’s budget deficit grew, the Governor repeatedly included the elimination of Medi-Cal optional benefits in special sessions, though the Legislature continued to reject this proposal. By the time the deficit had ballooned to $41 billion by late 2008, CPCA and other oral health advocates began to seriously worry about the status of Medi-Cal optional benefits. By early January of 2009, the Legislature had given in to the Governor and supported the proposal to eliminate Medi-Cal optional benefits – unless the State Treasurer and the Department of Finance determined that at least $10 billion in federal funds would be available by June 30, 2010. On March 27, 2009 the State Treasurer and the Department of Finance determined that there was only $8 billion available; thus Medi-Cal optional benefits were eliminated.

We Need Your Help!

Please call your representatives in the state senate and assembly, as well as the Governor, and tell them how the elimination of Medi-Cal adult dental affects your patients, your clinic and/or your family. Individuals are encouraged to send letters out on behalf of themselves, as well as your organizations. Particularly for public employees, this is a great way to participate in advocacy efforts without violating any laws/workplace rules. Access an example of a letter to a representative here.

To find your representative, visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html.

Please make sure to fax or e-mail the letter - postal mail is always very slow!

For questions, please contact the following OHAC staff:

Jamila Iris Edwards – (916) 440-8170 x.234 or jedwards@cpca.org