A California law that halted Medicaid coverage for adult dental, podiatry, optometry, chiropractic care and other healthcare services has been struck down by a federal appeals court, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report.
California cut those services for all Medi-Cal patients during a budget deficit in 2009, reasoning that they were optional for states under the federal Medicaid program. The Obama administration later approved this decision, which went into effect in July 2009.
Last week, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the action violated provisions in Medicaid law for health clinics in rural areas and federally funded health centers serving medically underserved areas.
If it stands, the ruling will require Medi-Cal to restore funding to the health clinics for adult dental care and other terminated services, while allowing the program to deny similar coverage for patients treated by private physicians and dentists, according to the report.
The state could ask the full appeals court for a rehearing or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
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