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The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, CA (AP) - Federal health officials say California cannot force Medi-Cal recipients to make a co-pay for doctor visits and prescription drugs, a decision that brings relief to low-income patients but complicates the state's effort to close a $9.2 billion budget deficit.
In a letter dated Monday from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, federal health officials said they were "unable to identify the legal and policy support" for the state's request.
Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers were planning to save $511 million a year in the program by requiring low-income patients to pay $3 for preferred drug prescriptions, $5 for doctor visits and a maximum of $200 for hospital visits.
The decision is the latest in a string of challenges that have made it difficult for the state to reduce spending.
The Associated Press