An exodus from Medi-Cal

San Diego ear, nose and throat physician Ted Mazer recently billed the California's medical insurance program for the poor for a tonsillectomy. Mazer got a check for $168, which was too little to cover surgical costs. Legislators have cut the rates even further, and now Mazer has resolved to shut his doors to new Medi-Cal patients. Statewide, many other doctors report that they too are abandoning Medi-Cal. In response, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is expected to announce that a coalition of local governments and healthcare providers plans to file suit to force a rollback of the 10% cut in fees paid to doctors that was approved by California legislators.