Due to the economic downturn, more and more people are seeking affordable medical and dental care at CHAP. In the past year, CHAP has seen it volume of medical visit increase by 35% and dental visits by 18%. At a time when we need resources more than ever, the California budget mess is messing with the lives of people who need care.
In the recently adopted budget, the State slashed funding to educate children, care for the elderly and provide medical care to the poor. CHAP is most impacted by the elimination of adult dental coverage under Medi-Cal that will make it difficult for low-income adults to access dental services.
As if the initial cuts weren’t enough, the Governor used his line-item veto power to slice even more funding upon which clinics like CHAP depend. First up was a drastic cut to the Expanded Access to Primary Care (EAPC) program. While CHAP’s allocation was a large portion of its operating budget, it was a vital source of funding for medical care outreach to Pasadena’s homeless adults. The Governor also cut $178.6 million of General Fund support for the Healthy Families program.
While our legislators are challenged to find common ground, one would think they could agree on providing needed medical care to poor children.
