Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a state budget on Tuesday, September 23rd – a record 85 days after the fiscal year had already begun. Beyond the $10 billion in spending that was approved by the Legislature, the governor vetoed an additional $510 million. The state budget cuts affect all Californians who use any part of the health care system – and especially the lowest income and most vulnerable among us. The enacted budget would result in more than 250,000 children losing health coverage over the next few years, adding to the ranks of 6.5 million people without coverage today. Californians who rely on public programs would encounter new barriers to using their health care at every level – in obtaining coverage, in keeping their coverage, using their coverage and paying for their coverage.