--- title: "Eliminating Podiatry \"would do violence\" the the Medi-Cal Program" description: "A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the finding of a trial judge and said federal law requires states participating in Medicaid to reimburse clinics serving migrant workers, homeless people and other poor populations for \"a panoply of medical services to under-served communities\" that includes chiropractic care, dental care, optometry, podiatry and speech therapy." --- [![Sanmateo Podiatry Group](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SMPG_April2021/images/logo.png?width=1000&height=350&name=logo.png "Sanmateo Podiatry Group")](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/) [![Sanmateo Podiatry Group](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SMPG_April2021/images/fixed-logo.png?width=1000&height=350&name=fixed-logo.png "Sanmateo Podiatry Group")](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/) [Make a Payment](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/payment/) [Call Today! 650-342-2420](tel:650-342-2420) Menu - [Home](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/) - [About Us](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/) - [New Patient Information](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/new-patient-info/) - [Services](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/services/) - [Contact](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/contact/) [San Mateo Podiatry Blog](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com) / eliminating podiatry “would do violence” the the Medi-Cal program # eliminating podiatry “would do violence” the the Medi-Cal program *on* July 05, 2013 From the Associated Press this morning: Court: Medi-Cal must cover podiatrists, dentists SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California lawmakers improperly stopped funding certain medical services that rural and other specialized health clinics provided to low-income residents under the state’s Medicaid program, a federal appeals court ruled Friday. A three-judge panel of the 9th [U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals](http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22U.S.+Circuit+Court+of+Appeals%22) reversed the finding of a trial judge and said federal law requires states participating in Medicaid to reimburse clinics serving migrant workers, homeless people and other poor populations for “a panoply of medical services to under-served communities” that includes chiropractic care, dental care, optometry, podiatry and speech therapy. To save money, the Legislature in 2009 eliminated coverage for adults receiving those services through the state’s Medicaid program, known as [Medi-Cal](http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Medi-Cal%22), saying they were optional because they were not provided by medical doctors. Although the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ultimately authorized the move, the 9th Circuit panel said only Congress can change the terms of Medicaid coverage, which are now written to mirror the services covered by the government’s health insurance program for the elderly and disabled, Medicare. Because Medicare “unambiguously defines the Clinics’ services to include services performed by dentists, podiatrists, optometrists and chiropractors, in addition to services provided by doctors of medicine and osteopathy,” eliminating those services for Medi-Cal recipients “would do violence” to the program, Judge [Dorothy Nelson](http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Dorothy+Nelson%22) said. The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by the [California Association](http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22California+Association%22) of Rural Health Clinics and [Avenal Community Health Center](http://www.sfgate.com/?controllerName=search&action=search&channel=news&search=1&inlineLink=1&query=%22Avenal+Community+Health+Center%22), a clinic in Kings County. The case was one of several challenges health care providers and patients have brought over Medi-Cal cuts state officials made while trying to balance California’s budget. ### Subscribe to the Blog ### Recent News ### Categories - [All](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com) - [News](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/news) - [health policy](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/health-policy) - [ACA](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/aca) - [advantage:podiatry](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/advantagepodiatry) - [health insurance and policy](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/health-insurance-and-policy) - [technology & research](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/technology-research) - [trending topics](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/trending-topics) - [affordable care act](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/affordable-care-act) - [artwork](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/artwork) - [healthcare reform](https://blog.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/tag/healthcare-reform) ### Foot and Ankle Problem? We're here to help! San Mateo Podiatry Group is a specialty practice delivering both non-surgical and reconstructive surgical techniques for all foot and ankle problems. [![learn more about our services!](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/8314366/28f5c961-9f17-480f-bb6b-fc32b63da3f2.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/8314366/28f5c961-9f17-480f-bb6b-fc32b63da3f2) Learn more about the services we offer to help patients achieve their goals. # Reserve Your Consultation Today! Learn why more families in the San Francisco Bay Area chose us for their foot and ankle care! [Reserve Online](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/appointment-reservation/) ###### [Meet Your Doctors](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/meet-the-doctors/) [Learn More](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/meet-the-doctors/) ###### [Why Choose Us?](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/why-choose-us/) [Learn More](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/why-choose-us/) ###### [Health Insurance Explained](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/health-insurance-explained/) [Learn More](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/health-insurance-explained/) ### Contact Information **San Mateo Podiatry Group** [1750 El Camino Real, Suite 106](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/''/1750+El+Camino+Real+Suite+106,+Burlingame,+CA+94010/@37.5940053,-122.451794,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x808f9e75cb4f6401:0x380f254bb978acca!2m2!1d-122.381754!2d37.594026) [Burlingame, CA 94010](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/''/1750+El+Camino+Real+Suite+106,+Burlingame,+CA+94010/@37.5940053,-122.451794,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m8!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x808f9e75cb4f6401:0x380f254bb978acca!2m2!1d-122.381754!2d37.594026) Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM *Same Day Urgent Care Consults Available* [Reserve Your Visit Online](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/appointment-reservation/) Call Today: [650-342-2420](tel:6503422420) - Connect - [Home](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/) - [News](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/news/) - [Careers](http://careers.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/) - [Media Inquiries](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/press) - [Contact Us](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/contact/) - About - [Who We Are](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/) - [Meet The Doctors](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/meet-the-doctors/) - [Meet The Team](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/team/) - [Why Choose Us?](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/why-choose-us/) - [Advantage: Podiatry](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/advantage-podiatry/) - [Client Testimonials](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/about-us/client-testimonials/) - Patient Resources - [New Visitors](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/for-patients/new-visitors/) - [Your Consultation](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/patient-information/your-consultation-what-to-expect/) - [Patient Portal](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/patient-information/patient-portal/) - [Telemedicine](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/for-patients/telemedicine/) - [Out of Town Patients](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/patient-information/out-of-town-patients/) - [Health Insurance FAQ](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/patient-information/health-insurance-explained/) - [Financing Options](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/patient-resources/financing/) - Downloads - [Registration Forms](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/assets/2019%20Registration%20Packet.pdf) - [Financial Policies](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/assets/2019%20Financial%20Policy.pdf) - [Practice Policies](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/assets/2019%20Practice%20Policies.pdf) - [Privacy Notices (HIPAA)](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2019-Privacy-Notice-HIPAA.pdf) - [Patient Education Library](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/for-patients/patient-education-library/) - [Stretching Instructions](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/assets/Stretching.pdf) - [After-Surgery Instructions](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/assets/SMPG-2018-PostOpInstructions.pdf) © Copyright 2021 San Mateo Podiatry Group Since 1917, A Tradition of Excellence in Foot and Ankle Care. All Rights Reserved | [Terms of Use and Privacy Policy](https://www.sanmateopodiatrygroup.com/terms-of-use)