Content about Multipurpose Senior Services Program

The Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services released the hearing agenda for March 15th, Thursday that will focus on the Governor’s proposals impacting the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP), the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, the Department of Rehabilitation and CalWORKS program.

Urged by virtually all advocates on the various stakeholder panels that the State should “slow down” on new proposals to expand efforts to shift people with disabilities and seniors eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal – referred to as “dual eligibles” - the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services and the Assembly Aging and Long Term Care Committee adjourned a nearly 6 hour informational hearing on the Governor’s controversial proposal to expand from 4 to 10 counties in 2013 and all counties by the end of 2015, an existing demonstration project proposal to shift those “dual eligible” from Medi-Cal “fee-for-service” to Medi-Cal managed care type plans.  No action was taken at the joint hearing.

The Department of Social Services released draft copies of notices to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) recipients and instructions to the counties regarding implementation of a 20% across the board reduction in service hours to all persons receiving In-Home Supportive Services, effective January 2012 - if a certain amount of state budget revenues will not come in as hoped for, triggering one or both of the state budget "trigger cuts" (the state budget "trigger cuts" are different from the federal budget "trigger cuts").

Governor Brown signed into law several budget related bills that authorize changes in State law to implement at least $8 billion in cuts in State general fund spending, including over $6 billion in cuts to health and human services impacting children and adults with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind, seniors, their families, community organizations and individual support workers and low income families across California.

The California Legislature took a major step in what it hopes will help to solve the State’s enormous budget crisis, by approving several of the budget related bills dealing with over $6 billion in cuts in State general fund spending to health and human services and reductions in general government that largely follow the Governor’s proposed reductions.

The  Budget Conference Committee voted to approve the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the Adult Day Health Care program.  The committee also took action to appropriate $85 million to transition people into a “new” version of the program.  The committee also approved major new reductions on CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, elimination of redevelopment agencies and an additional $50 million reduction in state general fund spending to developmental services.

The Budget Conference Committee approved legislative language which directs the Department of Developmental Services to develop and submit for Legislative review, and possible later approval, of statewide standards that would impose limits on spending of regional center community-based services and supports.  The Budget Conference Committee took no action on IHSS, Adult Day Health Care or Multipurpose Senior Services Program.

The Budget Conference Committee will begin to review and take action only on those budget items where the Assembly and Senate took different actions.  (Budget Conference Committee agendas are attached to CDCAN REPORT #056-2011)

The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee staff analysis for February 17's hearing covering developmental services and other budget issues, concluded the size of the Governor’s proposed $750 million reduction in State general fund spending for regional centers and other developmental services is likely too high and “most likely, not achievable” at the level proposed due to a number of factors.

The Assembly Budget Committee released a 56 budget subcommittee report dated February 18th that lists out the recommended actions for the full committee to approve when it meets Friday morning, February 18th, at the State Capitol in Room 4202.  Assembly Budget Committee report is attached to this CDCAN REPORT.

Final week for public comment on Governor's budget proposals, Senate Subcommittee hears child welfare services issues February 8th and developmental services February 10th.

The agendas for the February 3rd Assembly Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services hearing on the Governor's proposed reductions to regional centers and other developmental services.  The Senate budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services hearing on the Governor's proposed cuts to In-Home Supportive Services, SSI/SSP individual grants and elimination of the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) were released this morning.  Also, California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) hearing on February 2nd (Today!)