California community health centers are bracing for increased costs as a provision in the state’s 2026-27 budget will eliminate routine Medi-Cal dental coverage for many undocumented immigrants beginning July 1, Northern California Public Media reported.
Many Medi-Cal members aged 19 and older who do not qualify for federally funded full-scope Medi-Cal because of their immigration status are set to lose coverage for routine, non-emergency dental care beginning July 1 under the state’s new budget.
Gaby Bernal Leroi, CEO of Santa Rosa Community Health, said that without preventive coverage, patients will likely delay care until they have pain or a dental emergency — increasing emergency visits and shifting costs to health centers that will continue seeing patients regardless of insurance status. She added that those uncompensated costs could force health centers to reduce services, locations or hours of operation if no additional state or federal funding is provided to offset them.
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