Karen Bass Says Taxpayers ‘Already Paid’ for Dental Care for Homeless Meth Users

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass defended comments about dental care for homeless meth users after facing backlash online.

During an interview with ABC 7 on May 15, Bass, 72, argued that the services through California’s Medi-Cal healthcare program are “already paid for.”

“When I say comprehensive health care, it’s actually what people can get from Medi-Cal,” Bass said. “We already pay for it. It’s already paid for.”

Medi-Cal is California’s version of Medicaid, the joint federal and state healthcare program for low income residents. The program includes dental coverage through Denti-Cal and provides qualifying Californians with access to services like exams, fillings, extractions and more.

Bass was hit with backlash earlier this month when she stated that homeless meth users who lose their teeth need comprehensive healthcare services, including dental treatment.

“How many people that you meet that are unhoused don’t have teeth at all?” Bass said during a candidate forum, per Fox News. “They don’t have teeth. Why? Because meth rots your teeth. You can’t succeed without teeth. So there needs to be comprehensive healthcare provided to people.”

Several people slammed her on social media.

“Does anyone want to point out to her that, with teeth or not, it’s very hard to be successful when you are addicted to meth?” one person wrote via X. “Maybe we should focus on treating addicts instead of feeding their addiction?”

Another X user echoed similar thoughts, writing, “Succeed at what? lol. As if missing teeth is the number one thing standing in the way of success for meth addicts.”

Bass’ comments come as she faces a reelection race against challengers Nithya Raman and former reality television star Spencer Pratt.