Governor Proposes $1B Medi-Cal Dental Cut — 49% of Dentists Would Leave Program
Governor Newsom proposed cutting $1 billion from Medi-Cal Dental effective July 1, 2026, reducing reimbursement rates by 40-80%. A 70+ group 'Save Our Dental Care' coalition (CDA, children's advocacy, labor) is fighting back. 49% of Medi-Cal dentists say they would leave the program; another 30% would reduce Medi-Cal patients. The cut forfeits ~$576M in federal matching funds. FQHC dental programs serving 15 million Californians on Medi-Cal Dental face devastating revenue losses — compounding the undocumented dental elimination already in effect.
Key takeaways
- $1B cut = 40-80% rate reduction for Medi-Cal Dental
- 49% of dentists would leave Medi-Cal + 30% would reduce patients
- Forfeits ~$576M in federal matching (9:1 for ACA expansion)
- 70+ group coalition fighting before May Revise deadline
Primary source
California Dental AssociationFQHC Talent. (2026, April 6). Governor Proposes $1B Medi-Cal Dental Cut — 49% of Dentists Would Leave Program. Primary source: California Dental Association. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/medi-cal-dental-1b-cut-coalition-april-2026
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