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District Court Halts Cuts to Medi-Cal Providers – Patients Saved!
(Taken from a
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 California Pharmacists Association press release.)
District Court Halts Cuts to Medi-Cal Providers – Patients Saved!
Medi-Cal Beneficiaries Will Continue to Receive Needed Medications, Services
Sacramento, CA -- A Federal District Court in Los Angeles ordered the
state of California to stop the ten percent cuts in Medi-Cal
reimbursement payments to healthcare providers. The Court found that
pharmacies and other Medi-Cal providers and patients were being
irreparably harmed as a result of the cuts and that the providers had
shown a likelihood of success on the merits. Pharmacies were losing
money on nearly every Medi-Cal transaction and many pharmacies have
been forced to turn away Medi-Cal patients.
In addition to pharmacies, the Court’s order includes relief for
physicians, dentists, adult day health care centers, clinics, health
systems and other health care providers and applies to services on or
after July 1, 2008.
“This case has been a rollercoaster ride since the beginning. The
California Pharmacists Association applauds Judge Snyder for
recognizing the damage that the cuts were having on pharmacy and the
patients they serve,” said Lynn Rolston, chief executive officer of the
California Pharmacists Association. “We are grateful for this much
needed and timely victory. The Judge has saved the day for patients and
for the pharmacy network in California .”
This outstanding victory shows the strength of a united profession
working together to ensure patient safety and care. The lawsuit brought
was by Attorney Lynn Carman, Independent Living Center et al. vs.
Shewry, and is one of three supported by a coalition of pharmacy
interests, including the California Pharmacists Association, the
National Community Pharmacists Associations, the California Retailers
Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Several
independent community groups and individual community pharmacies have
also contributed to the lawsuit.
For more information contact Bill Bradley at bill @perrycom.com or call
916 658-0144. Click here to read the full text of the Court’s order
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