Elderly Californians Likely To Feel Impact of Health Program Cuts
Elderly Californians who qualify for state-funded adult day health care services could be among the hardest hit by recent state budget cuts, the San Bernardino County Sun reports.
Last week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed a budget revision package that reduced state coverage of adult day health care services from five days per week for beneficiaries to three days per week (Koren, San Bernardino County Sun, 8/3).
In addition, the budget revision eliminated funding for Alzheimer's disease programs.
Advocates say the reduction in adult day health services will pose challenges for families, many of whom might be unable to afford private caregivers.
They point out that the eldercare cuts actually could increase the state's long-term costs by compelling families to send older relatives to nursing homes.
Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, pays $76.50 per day for adult day health care, compared with $170 to $200 per day for nursing home care (Kleffman, Contra Costa Times, 8/3). 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.