In a January 7 statement, Scripps Health leadership described looming cuts to Medi-Cal and related programs as a serious financial threat to hospitals that treat a large share of patients covered by these public insurance plans.  

According to the system’s CEO, current projections suggest significant revenue losses if funding reductions proceed as expected, which could have far-reaching consequences for local health systems that rely on that income to support care for low-income individuals and people with disabilities.  

Scripps and other San Diego area hospitals are monitoring these developments closely as policymakers consider changes to reimbursement levels and eligibility criteria. 

Hospital officials say such cuts may force difficult decisions about services and could exacerbate financial pressures already faced by large safety-net providers.