[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Anthony Wright
Executive Director of Health Access California

There is an important article by the AP's Sacramento bureau reporter Aaron Davis about the budget crises in the various states across the nation, and many of the cuts being proposed around the nation.

California's proposed cuts, especially to health care, are spotlighted, but in a national context:

“An Associated Press review of the budgets in all 50 states reveals coverage would be eliminated for hundreds of thousands of poor children, disabled and the elderly. More than 10 million people would lose dental care, access to specialists, name-brand prescription drugs or other benefits. About 20 million could see their care jeopardized by further cuts to doctors' reimbursements.

“Health care is a choice target as governors and legislators confront the worst deficits they've faced in a decade or more, but that's not their only target: They're also considering cuts in aid to schools and universities, shrinking state work forces and even releasing prisoners before their sentences are completed.

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Don Perata
President pro Tem
California State Senate

Today, the California budget crisis hit home.

I joined with my Democratic and Republican colleagues in the state Legislature to pass $1 billion in cost-cutting measures to ensure the state can pay its bills this spring.

We tried to minimize the impact of the cuts, but make no mistake about it, these cuts are tough to stomach.

The actions included reducing spending on our schools by $506 million and lowering the rates paid to doctors who serve Medi-Cal patients, a move that may encourage doctors to quit treating the poor.

And previously planned cost-of-living increases for the poor, the working poor and the disabled receiving assistance through SSI/SSP or CalWORKS were delayed by three months until October.

We all want a better future “a future in which residents have an opportunity to live without fear and with hope. Today’s budget belies that goal. Today’s budget is a statement that California is going in the wrong direction.

But it could be just the beginning, as the state confronts a large deficit for next year.

I won’t accept a second-class state and neither should you. It’s time to stand up and fight for the better schools, health care and public safety we need for a brighter future.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]