CDCAN REPORT #031-2011: IHSS proposed budget "trailer bill language" released by Brown administration

• Brown Administration Releases Proposed Budget Language To Implement In-Home Supportive Services Reductions
• Budget Trailer Bill Language Need Approval from Both Senate and Assembly – Senate Budget Subcommittee Will Hear IHSS and SSI/SSP and MSSP Proposed Cuts on February 3rd at 09:30

SACRAMENTO, CALIF  (CDCAN) [Updated 02/01/2011 – 09:50 PM  (Pacific Time)] – The Brown Administration released today more proposed budget related language – referred to as “budget trailer bill language” covering several proposals dealing with major cuts and changes in eligibility to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS).  All of the proposed budget trailer bills by the Brown Administration require approval from both the Assembly and State Senate.  The Legislature can – and in most cases will – make changes to the various proposed trailer bill language, sometimes with minor changes and others that inserts entirely new provisions.

The Governor is proposing – among other sweeping permanent reductions – a $500 million cut in State general fund spending to the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program that serves over 460,000 children and adults with disabilities (including developmental), mental health needs, the blind, people with traumatic brain and other injuries, people with Alzheimer’s and MS and other disorders, senior, across the State.

What Do Budget Trailer Bills Do – And Why They Are Important

• Budget trailer bills make necessary changes in existing State law in order to implement reductions or other changes in the State budget. 
• The State budget is passed and signed into law first – followed or trailed by several different budget trailer bills (each trailer bill usually covers a specific budget area, such as human services or health, or judiciary, etc). 
• All of the proposed budget trailer bills by the Brown Administration require approval from both the Assembly and State Senate.  The Legislature can – and in most cases will – make changes to the various proposed trailer bill language, sometimes with minor changes and others that inserts entirely new provisions. 
• All of the proposed budget trailer bills provides more details on how the State would implement the reductions proposed by Governor Jerry Brown on January 10th when he released his 2011-2012 State Budget plan, which included over $12.5 billion in reductions in State general fund spending (some of that includes shifting of funds) and about $12 billion in increased revenues – the bulk achieved by a proposal – that would require voter approval in a June special election - to extend for five years temporary tax increases scheduled to expire this year.
• Persons impacted potentially by the issues covered in these or other budget trailer bills should read them – and contact your own legislators who represent you if you have suggestions for changes or have concerns (make sure they in turn contact the two budget subcommittees on your behalf)

In-Home Supportive Services Trailer Bill Language

The Brown Administration released 5 documents containing proposed budget trailer bill language covering the five proposed reductions to IHSS by the Governor.  These and other budget trailer bills proposed by the Brown Administration are available on the Department of Finance website at www.dof.ca.gov (click on the left hand column for “trailer bills”)

Except for one (dealing with IHSS Advisory Committees), the 4 pdf files were saved as images – and cannot be read by people who are blind or sight impaired using a screen reading device.  CDCAN is reproducing those documents and will send out later today.):

The following was released today that provide more details on the reductions to IHSS, as proposed by Governor Brown on January 10th:

1. IHSS Hours Reduction – budget trailer bill dealing with the additional 8.4% across the board reduction in authorized hours for all persons receiving IHSS, effective July 1, 2011 on top of the existing 3.6% cut in hours that went into effect February 1, 2011 (passed as part of the 2010-2011 State Budget last October).  This would mean a total across the board cut in IHSS service hours of 12%.  The 12 page proposed trailer bill language, attached in a pdf file scanned as an image is attached and titled: “2011-02-01 - 635-Across the Board Reduction to IHSS Service Hours 1105159.pdf”
2. Domestic and Related Services Reduction for Children Living With Parents – budget trailer bill dealing with the Governor’s proposal to eliminate domestic and related services under IHSS for all children under age of 18 years old living with their parents at home.  The 11 page proposed budget trailer bill language, attached in a pdf file scanned as an image, is attached and titled:  “2011-02-01 - 636-Eliminate IHSS Domestic and Related Services for Minors Living With Able Available Parent 1105078.pdf”
3. Domestic and Related Services Reduction for Adults Living With Another Person– budget trailer bill dealing with Governor’s proposal to eliminate domestic and related services under IHSS for all adults who live with a roommate (“shared living arrangement”).  The 8 page proposed trailer bill language is attached and titled “2011-02-01 - 637-Eliminate IHSS Domestic and Related Services for Recipients In Shared Living 1107552.pdf”
4. Doctor’s “At Risk” Certification To Be Eligible for IHSS – budget trailer bill language relating to the Governor’s proposal to narrow eligibility to the IHSS program for all persons currently in it and all persons applying for eligibility by requiring a doctor to provide a certification that the person is “at risk” of institutionalization (out of home placement) in order to be eligible for any services under IHSS.  This proposal is perhaps the most significant of all those proposed by the Governor – and one not previously proposed before.  The 6 page budget trailer bill language is attached and titled “2011-02-01 - 638-Eliminate IHSS Services For Recipients Without Physician Certification 1107849.pdf”
5. Eliminate State Funding for IHSS Advisory Committees– budget trailer bill language regarding the Governor’s proposal to eliminate all State funding for IHSS Advisory Committees in every county.  Counties would have the option to continue their advisory committee, with their own funding (matched by federal funds – but without State funding).  The 1 page draft budget trailer bill language is attached and titled “2011-02-01 - 639-Eliminate State Funding For IHSS Advisory Committees - DraftV2L.pdf”

NEXT STEPS

• The Legislature is still conducting budget subcommittee hearings, begun last week and continues through the end of next week reviewing and taking public comment on the Governor’s proposals, including his proposals for sweeping cuts to IHSS, SSI/SSP, regional centers, Medi-Cal, and other health and human services. 
• The Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services is scheduled to hear the IHSS budget proposals on February 3, at 09:30 AM  (or upon adjournment of the Senate floor session) at the State Capitol in Room 4203.  Also on the agenda for this hearing is the Governor’s proposed cut to SSI/SSP individual grants from $845 to $830 – the lowest level allowed by the federal government (grants to couples were reduced in 2009 to the lowest level allowed by the federal government); and the Governor’s proposal to eliminate all funding for the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)
• The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services is also holding a hearing on the same day – though at around 10:00 AM (or upon adjournment of the Assembly floor session – which most people expect to adjourn by 10 AM).  The Assembly subcommittee meets February 3rd, Thursday morning at the State Capitol in Room 4202 (right across the hall from Room 4203) covering the Governor’s proposed cuts to regional centers (developmental services). 

File Attachments: 

2011-02-01 - 635 - Proposed Across-the-Board Reduction to IHSS Service Hours - 1105159.pdf

2011-02-01 - 636 - Proposed Eliminate IHSS Domestic and Related Services for Minors Living with Able Available Parent - 1105078.

2011-02-01 - 637 - Proposed Eliminate IHSS Domestic and Related Services for Recipients in Shared Living - 1107552.pdf

2011-02-01 - 638 - Proposed Eliminate IHSS Services for Recipients without Physician Certification - 1107849.pdf

2011-02-01 - 639 - Proposed Eliminate State Funding for IHSS Advisory Committees - Draft V2L.pdf