Court blocks Medi-Cal pharmacy payment cuts

California officials have renewed efforts to cut payments to pharmacies for prescription drugs to millions of low-income Medi-Cal patients after a federal appeals court put a 10% rate reduction on hold. A separate lawsuit is pending against 10% cuts in state Medi-Cal reimbursements to doctors and dentists, which remain in place. The Legislature authorized the 10% reductions in February for all Medi-Cal healthcare providers, effective July 1.