Adult Day Health Care Programs Taking Stand Against Proposed Cuts
Eldercare advocates are gearing up to oppose Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) proposed cuts to adult day health care services and other programs, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
As part of his budget plan, Schwarzenegger has called for the state to end its $76 daily Medi-Cal reimbursement for adult day health care programs by March 1. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.
The elimination of the adult day health care funding is expected to reduce state spending by about $104 million during the next fiscal year.
Mounting an Opposition
Adult day health care program coordinators and other advocates are pushing back against the proposed cuts, which they say could propel low-income seniors into hospitals or nursing homes.
Vivian Lopez -- director of Adult Day Health Services at Loma Linda University Medical Center -- testified before a Senate budget hearing this week about the potential impact of the proposed cuts. Lopez said the adult day programs rein in state costs by keeping people out of hospitals.
In addition, the California Association of Adult Day Health Services is posting videos and newsletters on its Web site to inform members about its efforts to combat the funding reductions.
Other adult day programs are working with client families to write to local lawmakers and undertake other advocacy efforts (Rokos, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 1/28). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.