Medi-Cal Spending on Non-Medical Programs

SOURCE www.breitbart.com
Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, has been spending on non-medical programs like housing and meals, leading to a $6 billion deficit and the need for loans. The federal government is cracking down on these non-medical expenses, aligning with a narrower vision of Medicaid under the Trump administration.

Key Points

  • California's Medi-Cal program has been covering services from housing to healthy food under CalAIM.
  • The federal government, under the Trump administration, is insisting that Medicaid spending be restricted to medical expenses only.
  • The deficit in Medi-Cal has led to the need for loans to prevent collapse.

Pros

  • Providing services like housing and healthy food can improve the overall health and well-being of Medi-Cal recipients.
  • Experimenting with Medicaid funding can lead to innovative solutions for addressing social determinants of health.

Cons

  • Spending on non-medical programs has contributed to a significant deficit in the Medi-Cal program.
  • The federal government's crackdown on non-medical expenses may limit the flexibility of states like California to address social determinants of health.