Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass defended her recent comments about providing dental care for homeless meth users, stating that the services are already covered by California's Medi-Cal healthcare program. During a mayoral candidate forum, Bass highlighted the importance of dental care for unhoused individuals, noting that methamphetamine use often leads to severe dental decay. 'How many people that you meet that are unhoused don't have teeth at all?' Bass asked. 'They don't have teeth. Why? Because meth rots your teeth.' She emphasized that dental care is essential for success, saying, 'You can't succeed without teeth. So there needs to be comprehensive healthcare provided to people.'
In an interview with ABC7, Bass clarified that the dental care is available through Medi-Cal but acknowledged issues with connecting individuals to these services. 'So, when I say comprehensive healthcare, it’s actually what people can get from Medi-Cal,' she said. 'The problem is that the linkage isn’t made with the people and the services.' When asked if taxpayers would bear the cost, Bass responded, 'Well, we already pay for it. It’s already paid for. It’s the linkage that hasn’t happened.'
Bass also addressed the drug crisis, noting that her administration has taken steps to provide substance abuse treatment. She mentioned using lawsuit settlements from tobacco companies to fund contracts with drug-related organizations, allowing referrals to treatment programs. However, the discussion remains focused on the broader debate over how to address homelessness and addiction in Los Angeles.