California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and the Democratic-controlled state legislature have finally worked out a deal to fix the state's gargantuan $26.3 billion budget deficit. But "fix" may not be the appropriate word, given the suffering that will result from the agreement, if implemented as planned.
According to reports from Sacramento, state healthcare programs took a serious hit, and the cuts will have implications on providers in the Golden State as they deal with the fallout.
California's health insurance program for children, Healthy Families, will likely endure $124 million in cuts, throwing thousands of children onto a waiting list for the program. How many more kids without insurance will end up in hospital emergency departments for problems that could have been handled in primary care offices?
In-home services for the elderly are also going to be reduced by approximately $226 million. And in a move that will also have a negative impact on the health status of poor people, state "leaders" want to cut CalWorks/Welfare by $528 million.
Perhaps the best political analyst to assess California's current situation is Dust Bowl balladeer Woody Guthrie, who once sang:
"California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see;
But believe it or not, you won't find it so hot
If you ain't got the do re mi."
The state of California: a healthcare hell... at least for the poor.