Karen Bass Defends Medi-Cal Dental Care for Homeless Meth Users as 2026 LA Race Tightens
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 19
Karen Bass Defends Medi-Cal Dental Care for Homeless Meth Users as 2026 LA Race Tightens
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 19
Bass said dental care for homeless meth users is already covered by California’s Medi-Cal program, arguing the main gap is connecting unhoused people to services rather than finding new funding.
ABC7 pressed whether taxpayers would foot the bill; Bass replied "we already pay for it" and said working teeth can help people in interim housing become employable and leave public assistance.
She added City Hall has used tobacco lawsuit money to contract with substance-abuse groups and refer some homeless residents into drug treatment, even though health care is primarily a county responsibility.
The defense follows backlash to Bass’s viral forum remarks that meth "rots your teeth" and comes as she faces re-election pressure from City Council member Nithya Raman and Spencer Pratt.
Is taxpayer-funded dental care a gateway to recovery or an expensive fix for a symptom of LA's homeless crisis?
Can restoring a person's smile truly be the first step to rebuilding a life, even before they conquer their addiction?