While the state government and cities throughout the county are grappling with tight budgets, Orange County’s Medi-Cal program has the opposite problem – over $1.8 billion sitting in the bank two years after state auditors said to spend more on the community.
OC’s health program for the poor and needy, CalOptima, is responsible for the healthcare of around one third of Orange County’s residents and maintains a yearly budget of over $4 billion.
Its leaders have defended the stockpile, insisting they’re preparing themselves for state budget shortfalls and cuts to Medicaid…