The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a California law eliminating coverage of some healthcare services for the poor is invalid.
During a budget crisis in 2009, California lawmakers limited adult dental, podiatry, optometry and chiropractic care under the federal Medicaid program.
Medicaid benefits are jointly funded by the federal and state governments.
An association of health clinics sued to block the cuts imposed by the 2009 state law, but a lower court ruled that the limits were not in conflict with Medicaid. That decision was unanimously reversed by a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court on Friday.