We have received many inquiries from clients and colleagues asking whether the California Budget, just signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on July 28, 2009, will adversely affect nursing home residents who rely upon Medi-Cal to help pay for care. The good news: No. Neither will it directly affect subsidies for ancillary services, such as dental and podiatric care. The budget cuts made in order to close the $26 Billion “gap” will, however, have a tremendous affect upon Medi-Cal programs for persons not residing in nursing homes, upon child welfare programs, AIDS prevention, and low cost health insurance for low income children. Click on the link below for the full details. The cuts to Medi-Cal begin on page 15 of the Amendments: