Court’s dilemma over cuts in Medi-Cal fees

A federal appeals court that halted and then reinstated a 10% cut in Medi-Cal fees for prescription drugs has received a conflicting set of warnings from pharmacists and California health officials. The pharmacists say the reduction means patients will lose access to vital medicines, whle the health officials say suspending the cut would deepen California's fiscal crisis. Doctors and dentists, meanwhile, are challenging a 10% cut in their Medi-Cal fees in a separate suit to be heard by a Superior Court judge in Los Angeles.