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Dental providers warn cuts to Prop 56 and Medi‑Cal dental will push patients into ERs and shrink access
Summary
Dental clinics and pediatric dental advocates told lawmakers rescinding Prop 56 supplemental dental payments and reducing adult dental benefits will force providers out of Medi‑Cal, increase ER visits, and produce higher longer‑term costs. LAO noted the Prop 56 revenue base has declined and the department must submit a federal analysis for any rate reductions.
The committee heard urgent testimony from community dental providers, pediatric dental centers and LAO on the consequences of proposed cuts to Medi‑Cal dental funding, including elimination or reduction of Prop 56‑supported supplemental payments.
Laura Marcus, CEO of Dientes Community Dental Care, warned that eliminating adult dental benefits and Prop 56 supplements will reverse gains in access and shift costs to emergency departments. "When I started at Dientes in 2004 we served…
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