EducationUSA Iran

To: Dental Forum
From: Michelle Rivas, Manager, External Affairs
Re: Governor’s Proposed Cuts to Denti-Cal Program

The state of California is facing a fiscal crisis and, once again, the Denti-Cal program is facing devastating cuts.

In January, the Governor directed all state agencies to reduce their budgets by 10%, but the cuts that have been proposed to the Denti-Cal program equal approximately 50%.

The Governor’s proposed cuts to the Denti-Cal program are:
10% reduction in provider rates
Total elimination of the adult dental program
10% cut in the Children’s Dental Disease Prevention Program

As you are well aware, elimination of adult Denti-Cal services would be disastrous and likely result in destroying the existing provider infrastructure.

The California Dental Association is strongly urging the legislature to take a closer look at the Governor’s proposed cuts to the Denti-Cal program. In addition, we have formed a coalition with a number of oral health care organizations to find alternatives to the Governor’s proposals and deliver a cohesive and concise message to members of the state legislature.

CDA is advocating on your behalf but legislators also need to hear from providers on the direct impact this will have on your practice and the population you serve. The greater the number of Denti-Cal beneficiaries you treat, the greater the impact these proposed cuts will have on your practice and, ultimately, your patients.

Therefore, we respectfully request that you write a letter to the chairs of the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees. Please give specific examples of how these cuts will affect your patients and your practice.

Letters should be written to:

The Honorable Elaine Alquist
Chair, Senate Budget Subcommittee on Health & Human Services
State Capitol, Room 5080
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Honorable Patty Berg
Chair, Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health
State Capitol, Room 4146
Sacramento, CA 95814

Please fax your letters to Diane Schaubach at 916.498.6145 and we will hand deliver to the Capitol. We will keep all doctors who respond to this request updated as we continue to negotiate with the legislature and Governor on the budget proposals.

Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions.

Thank you.