More Southern California residents forgo preventive care, providers say

As of February, an estimated 500,000 California residents had lost their health insurance since the start of the economic decline, according to a recent report. Now people are cutting back on routine screenings and examinations designed to protect their health, Southern California doctors and dentists say. Those who have health insurance with high deductibles or expensive co-pays also appear to be cutting back on nonessential medical care, doctors say, possibly to save money.