Anticipated Medicaid Cuts Threaten Dental Care for Undocumented Residents in Santa Cruz…

Federal cuts are threatening to limit Medicaid, leading to a shrinking of California’s state-funded safety net, including dental coverage for undocumented residents. State regulators were planning to end comprehensive dental coverage for many undocumented adults, a change that was delayed until July 1 of next year following advocacy from providers and patient advocates. Laura Marcus, CEO of Dientes Community Dental, noted concerns about anticipated cuts through Medi-Cal.

The reduction in state-funded safety nets affects the public health services available in Santa Cruz County. Dientes Community Dental, which serves 18,000 people in Santa Cruz County, primarily through Medi-Cal, faces concerns about how these anticipated cuts will impact its operations and patient base.