Providers: CA Medi-Cal cuts will limit health access

Thousands of people representing doctors, hospitals and unionized health care workers are rallying at the Capitol against a 10 percent cut in the amount the state pays for Medicaid reimbursements.

They said Tuesday they want Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature to restore the reimbursement rate for the coming fiscal year, which starts July 1.

The California Medical Association says the cut could prompt doctors to stop accepting the low-income patients who depend on the program, called Medi-Cal in the state. The association says rates are too low to cover treatment costs.

The governor’s finance spokesman says the rate cut is necessary to help balance the state budget.

The latest budget proposals in the Legislature include the 10 percent rate cut, which was recently upheld by a federal appeals court.