Future Benefits Of Poorest Seniors In Salinas And Monterey, CA In The Hands Of Joint Budget Committe
Future Benefits Of Poorest Seniors In Salinas And Monterey, CA In The Hands Of Joint Budget Committee
The Alzheimer's Association and others are issuing a call to arms--call your state legislator and urge them not to cut much-needed services to seniors. As I wrote on my blog on February 24, I will be doing this personally, travelling to Sacramento, CA on March 16 to make sure my voice is heard---and the voices of my Clients. Both the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees have been meeting over the past few weeks to discuss and cast votes on the budget cuts proposed by Governor Brown.
The Alzheimer's Association sent out a bulletin on February 28 stating that one "VERY disturbing turn of events" is that the Senate Committee (Chaired by Senator Mark Leno) voted to:
• Eliminate Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) as a Medi-Cal benefit
• Reduce significantly Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
• Significant cuts 8.4% reduction in service hours for people receiving In-Home Support Services. (IHSS)
Thankfully, the Assembly rejected this proposal, and instead approved a proposal that would cut $28 million from the program but allow it to continue with reduced funding as a Medi-Cal benefit. Because there were differing votes from the Senate and Assembly budget Committees, a Conference Committee was convened that will have representatives from both the Senate and Assembly budget committees. Proposed cuts include:
Adult Day Health Care (ADHC)
Governor Brown's proposal called for the complete elimination of ADHC, which would leave 37,000 beneficiaries without vital community services for seniors.
The Assembly rejected this proposal, and instead approved a proposal that would cut $28 million from the program. The Senate voted to eliminate ADHC as a Medi-Cal benefit, and created a $25 million General Fund grant. However, this grant would not cover medical services
Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
The Governor had proposed complete elimination of MSSP, which serves over 11,000 Medi-Cal eligible seniors who qualify for placement in a nursing facility but wish to remain in the community.
The Senate Budget Committee rejected this proposal, and instead unanimously approved a $5 million General Fund reduction.
The Assembly Budget Committee rejected this proposal and maintained the program at its currently funding level of $19.9 million.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
Governor Brown's budget included $486.1 million in cuts to the IHSS program, including an 8.4% reduction in service hours, elimination of domestic and related services for recipients living with their provider, requirement of physician certification for IHSS services, and elimination of state funding for county IHSS advisory committees.
Below is a summary of the actions taken on the IHSS proposals:
o Reduction in service hours: The Assembly rejected this proposal, while the Senate approved a lesser reduction in service hours.
o Elimination of domestic and related services for recipients living with their provider: The Assembly rejected this proposal, while the Senate adopted a modified proposal, which included specified exemptions.
o Requirement of physician certification: Approved by both budget committees.
o Elimination of state funding for county advisory committees: Both budget committees approved a $1.4 million cut, leaving $3,000 per county for continued operation of advisory committees.
Medi-Cal
The Governor's proposal included limiting prescriptions, monetary limits on durable medical equipment and supplies, and implementing mandatory co-payments for Medi-Cal beneficiaries for physician, clinic, dental and pharmacy services, emergency room services and hospital stays.
While the budget committees did not approve all these proposals, they did approve approximately $584 million in mandatory co-payments, including:
o $3 and $5 for some prescription drugs;
o $5 for physician and dentist visits;
o $50 for emergency room visits; and
o A $200 maximum for hospital stays.
Both committees rejected proposals to implement hard caps on physician visits and prescription drugs.
Source: Alzheimer's Association
As regular readers of my blog know, Family inHome Caregiving of Monterey is a major supporter of the Alzheimer's Association and an advocate for senior rights. It saddens me to see some of the poorest seniors, those who can afford it the least, fall victim to the state's financial woes. If you wish to weigh in on the subject, please call:
Senator Mark Leno - (916) 651-4003
Assemblymember Jim Nielsen - (916) 319-2002
Assemblymember Nancy Skinner - (916) 319-2014
http://www.alz.org/norcal/
http://www.familyinhomecaregiving.com/blog/index.html?entry=family-inhome-caregiving-of-monterey
The Alzheimer's Association and others are issuing a call to arms--call your state legislator and urge them not to cut much-needed services to seniors. As I wrote on my blog on February 24, I will be doing this personally, travelling to Sacramento, CA on March 16 to make sure my voice is heard---and the voices of my Clients. Both the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees have been meeting over the past few weeks to discuss and cast votes on the budget cuts proposed by Governor Brown.
The Alzheimer's Association sent out a bulletin on February 28 stating that one "VERY disturbing turn of events" is that the Senate Committee (Chaired by Senator Mark Leno) voted to:
• Eliminate Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) as a Medi-Cal benefit
• Reduce significantly Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
• Significant cuts 8.4% reduction in service hours for people receiving In-Home Support Services. (IHSS)
Thankfully, the Assembly rejected this proposal, and instead approved a proposal that would cut $28 million from the program but allow it to continue with reduced funding as a Medi-Cal benefit. Because there were differing votes from the Senate and Assembly budget Committees, a Conference Committee was convened that will have representatives from both the Senate and Assembly budget committees. Proposed cuts include:
Adult Day Health Care (ADHC)
Governor Brown's proposal called for the complete elimination of ADHC, which would leave 37,000 beneficiaries without vital community services for seniors.
The Assembly rejected this proposal, and instead approved a proposal that would cut $28 million from the program. The Senate voted to eliminate ADHC as a Medi-Cal benefit, and created a $25 million General Fund grant. However, this grant would not cover medical services
Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
The Governor had proposed complete elimination of MSSP, which serves over 11,000 Medi-Cal eligible seniors who qualify for placement in a nursing facility but wish to remain in the community.
The Senate Budget Committee rejected this proposal, and instead unanimously approved a $5 million General Fund reduction.
The Assembly Budget Committee rejected this proposal and maintained the program at its currently funding level of $19.9 million.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
Governor Brown's budget included $486.1 million in cuts to the IHSS program, including an 8.4% reduction in service hours, elimination of domestic and related services for recipients living with their provider, requirement of physician certification for IHSS services, and elimination of state funding for county IHSS advisory committees.
Below is a summary of the actions taken on the IHSS proposals:
o Reduction in service hours: The Assembly rejected this proposal, while the Senate approved a lesser reduction in service hours.
o Elimination of domestic and related services for recipients living with their provider: The Assembly rejected this proposal, while the Senate adopted a modified proposal, which included specified exemptions.
o Requirement of physician certification: Approved by both budget committees.
o Elimination of state funding for county advisory committees: Both budget committees approved a $1.4 million cut, leaving $3,000 per county for continued operation of advisory committees.
Medi-Cal
The Governor's proposal included limiting prescriptions, monetary limits on durable medical equipment and supplies, and implementing mandatory co-payments for Medi-Cal beneficiaries for physician, clinic, dental and pharmacy services, emergency room services and hospital stays.
While the budget committees did not approve all these proposals, they did approve approximately $584 million in mandatory co-payments, including:
o $3 and $5 for some prescription drugs;
o $5 for physician and dentist visits;
o $50 for emergency room visits; and
o A $200 maximum for hospital stays.
Both committees rejected proposals to implement hard caps on physician visits and prescription drugs.
Source: Alzheimer's Association
As regular readers of my blog know, Family inHome Caregiving of Monterey is a major supporter of the Alzheimer's Association and an advocate for senior rights. It saddens me to see some of the poorest seniors, those who can afford it the least, fall victim to the state's financial woes. If you wish to weigh in on the subject, please call:
Senator Mark Leno - (916) 651-4003
Assemblymember Jim Nielsen - (916) 319-2002
Assemblymember Nancy Skinner - (916) 319-2014
http://www.alz.org/norcal/
http://www.familyinhomecaregiving.com/blog/index.html?entry=family-inhome-caregiving-of-monterey
