For More Information Contact:

Norma Jean Vescovo, Executive Director 
Independent Living Center of Southern California, Inc. 
14407 Gilmore Street, Suite 101, Van Nuys, CA 91401 
Tel: (818) 785-6934 
FAX: (818) 785-0330 
Email: ilcsc@ilcsc.org 

NON-PROFIT AGENCY IN VAN NUYS WINS AGAINST THE STATE  

     Medi-Cal cuts went into effect on July 1^st.  The cuts would cause Medi-Cal recipients here in the San Fernando Valley, as well as the entire State of California, to be unable to find doctors, dentists, and pharmacies willing to serve them.  Thousands of frail, elderly, and disabled recipients of Medi-Cal, right here in the Valley, would not be able to obtain medical services, which they desperately need to survive, and would have either died or been forced into nursing homes or other institutions, as a result of the cuts. 

     On August 19, 2008, the U.S District Court in Los Angeles, Honorable Christina A. Snyder, Judge, issued a preliminary injunction in favor of the Independent Living Center of Southern California, Inc. (ILCSC), plaintiff in the lawsuit initially filed April 2008 in Los Angeles Superior Court, to enjoin the State of California 10% payment reduction.  The ruling will offer relief to not only pharmacies, also plaintiffs in the suit, but also to doctors, dentists, adult day care health centers, clinics, health systems, and other providers in the Medi-Cal program.

     Since 1976, the ILCSC, a non-profit agency, has provided a wide range of services to a growing population of people with disabilities.  Lynn Carman, Chief Counsel in the lawsuit, has been associated with the ILCSC for over 20 years, and has successfully argued and won many cases that have been of benefit to persons with disabilities.

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