Budget Passage Saves Community Clinics From Having to Make Cuts to Staff, Services, Other Operations
Posted on: Wednesday, 22 August 2007, 18:20 CDT
Senate passage of the state budget yesterday spares California's community clinics and health centers from the prospect of having to continue to shoulder the huge financial weight of caring for millions of Medi-Cal patients without reimbursement from the state. Since Medi-Cal payments were halted on July 30, California's community clinics were strapped with a $40 million operating deficit -- relying on clinic reserves and/or bank loans to function.
"Many of the state's community clinics and health centers were on the verge of having to lay off staff, cut programs and services, reduce clinic hours of operation, and even close their doors to thousands of low-income, uninsured and under-served Californians," said Carmela Castellano-Garcia, president and CEO of the California Primary Care Association (CPCA), which represents over 650 community clinics statewide.
"A great many of our community clinics and health centers have faced severe hardship over the last month as a result of the budget stalemate," she said. "Our clinics, many of which operate on a shoestring budget, rely on Medi-Cal and other key public health programs for more than 56 percent of their income. We are pleased that the Legislature was able to put politics aside and come to a compromise that ends the impasse, and allows California's clinics to get back to their work of caring for our most vulnerable communities."
About CPCA
California Primary Care Association (CPCA) is the statewide leader and recognized voice representing the interests of California community clinics and health centers and their patients. CPCA represents more than 650 not-for-profit community clinics and health centers (CCHCs) who provide comprehensive, quality health care services, particularly for low-income, uninsured and underserved Californians, who might otherwise not have access to health care.
Source: Business Wire
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