California cuts services for people with disabilities
September 21st, 2009From the Contra Costa [CA] Times:
Respite care is the latest state-funded program for people with disabilities to face substantial cuts in California, with care now limited to 21 days of service per person annually. Advocates say the cuts threaten to isolate families, possibly forcing them to place loved ones in institutions.
State officials say the cuts were necessary to help the state manage massive budget problems.
Jordan Lindsey, director of policy at the California Association for Health Care Services at Home, estimates recent budget actions have cut $3.5 billion in a variety of services to people with disabilities. State officials put the number closer to $1.5 billion.
“They are being cut 10 percent here, 10 percent there, and people may not understand if you add it all together all of a sudden you are taking away a huge portion of the individual services that allow them to live in the community with a meaningful, productive life,” Lindsey said.
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September 26th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
You might want to watch the filed lawsuits. Adult Day Care/Disability Rights California filed. A temp. court order will prevent this cut from happening.
Who is going to file next to prevent the cuts to the approximately 190,000 people who do not receive personal care services through In-Home Supportive Service. There are not enough nursing homes to accommodate even half of the people. Families for the most part have placed their loved ones in a warehouse.
Disability Rights California is holding training classes how people can fight for their rights if cut hours are sent to consumers via a “Notice of Action”.
Contra Costa Co. Social Workers are being asked by consumers for the consumer’s “Functional Index Rank”, “Functional Index Score and their current SOC 293. Social Workers are saying, as mine did, “What do you want it for!?” I said because I want it and am requesting for the three things. I have called Mr. Sam Friend 3 times leaving a message without a return call. This is happening to almost every person requesting this information.
Disability Rights California is instructing us to make this request so we can review the information. If we think that it is based on inaccurate information we need to ACT NOW! But if people get their Notice of Action and any hours are being cut that they put in an immediate request for an appeal with “Aid Paid Pending” requested. Aid Paid Pending will allow the consumer to continue getting their regular hours until their appeal hearing. There is a LOT of work the consumer then has to do to prove their case in appeal:
- Keep a detailed log for at least a week of EVERY task performed no matter how small. Develop a Self-Assessment using the state form which details the allowable task permitted hours, have your doctor fill out the form writing one sentence what he/she feels that his patient is not getting enough time allowed for each task.
There are numerous people who will not be able to do this. There is help but people will need to know where the help can be found!
Do you know about:
- Lynn Carman, attorney in Marin Co. who has/is handling some of the issues through his not-for-profit “Medicaid Defense Fund”. He can be Googled…great write ups about him!
- The Olmstead decision, U.S. Supreme Court- Olmstead v. L.C.? The state has an “advisory” who has been working on the CA rendition of CA Olmstead plan.
- Money Follows the Person began in TX
- Laguna Honda and the lawsuit won to move people back into the community?
- Independent Living Center’s mandate to move people back into their communities of choice
Maggie Dee, Producer
KUSF, 90.3 FM, “Disability and Senior News Report”
925-427-1219