{NAPA} STATE POLICY NEWS ALERT! | Policy Update 2011

Legislature Defends Additional Cuts to Important Programs

On Monday, May 16^th, Governor Brown released his revised state budget proposal, commonly referred to as the May Revise. Amongst his many proposals, there were 2 Proposals of concern for the Alzheimer’s Association and California families living with the diseases.

1)     Completely eliminate the Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) program and appropriate $25 million for the purpose of transitioning individuals in the program to other services.

Budget Subcommittees said NO to this proposal The Governor’s continued preference to eliminate ADHC was disappointing. Thanks in part to an outcry from Advocates on Tuesday, May 24^th, the Budget Subcommittee stated theywould not re-open the ADHC budget when they meet to discuss the May Revise. This was a promising sign that the members of the Legislature intend to follow through on their intent to create a new ADHC program under a federal waiver, known as the “Keeping Adults Free from Institutions” (KAFI) program, and allocating $85 million in state funding.    

While the details of this new program have yet to be worked out, the Alzheimer’s Association will continue to be a strong advocate for Adult Day Health programs in the community. 

2)     Cut an additional $7.7 million for In-Home  

Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authorities.  

Assembly Budget Subcommittee REJECTED this proposal The IHSS Authority provides assistance to low income families who need in home care support. The Authority also investigates the qualifications and backgrounds of potential providers, and offers training for both workers and care recipients.

In a victory for our communities on May 24^th, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services voted 3-0 to reject this proposal. The 52 public authorities operating throughout the state will continue to provide for specific functions related to the delivery of IHSS in counties, while the budget subcommittee staff works to develop trailer bill language to change how Public Authorities are allocated funding. 

An additional positive note: there has been NO DISCUSSION of reducing funding for the Alzheimer’s Disease Centers beyond the cuts implemented last year. 

Budget subcommittees will continue to review the Governor’s May Revise proposals. Meanwhile, the Governor has resumed talks with Republican members of the legislature. He is seeking two Republican votes in both the Assembly and Senate and has stated publicly that he still wants the issue of tax extensions put before the California voters. 

Update on Priority Legislation

In order for bills to continue in the legislative process this year, they must be passed out of their house of origin by Friday, June 3^rd. As of Wednesday, May 25^th, 21 of our 25 priority bills were on track to meet this deadline. The four bills that did not (AB 367, AB 594, SB 529 and SB 717) will not be eligible for further legislative discussion until the 2012 session begins (they are considered two year bills). For the full list of our priority bills, please visitwww.caalz.org/policy/bill_report/.  

The Vivint Gives Back ProjectOur Chapter has been nominated as part of the Vivint Gives Back Project, a grant program run by Vivint, Inc. If you have a facebook page, please “endorse” our chapter by June 11 to make us eligible to receive $250,000 – we need to be in the top 20 in our region to gain eligibility and the competition is heating up! Learn more about the program and how to endorse us here: 

1.) visit http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/928

2.) click the facebook login icon and like the page

3.) Click to endorse the Alzheimer’s Association, Northern California and Northern Nevada

Have you registered for
the Walk to End Alzheimer's?Find a walk near you!

San Franciscio         September 24, 2011                         Mission Creek Park
Santa Cruz               September 24, 2011                          Seascape Resort and Park
Reno                         September 24, 20 11                         Sparks Marina, Sparks
Sacramento             October 1, 2011                                 State Capitol
Chico                        October 1, 2011                                 Bidwell Park
Wine Country          October 15, 2011                               Shollenberger ParkMonterey County    October 15, 2011                                Custom House PlazaSilcon Valley           October 15, 2011                                Arena Green, Downtown
Fresno                     October 22, 2011                                Copper River Ranch Park
Redding                   October 22, 2011                                Convention Center
Modesto                   October 22, 2001                                TBD 

  www.alz.org/walk

California Policy Update January 2011 Governor's Budget Proposal Monday Governor Brown laid out his proposal for the FY 2011-12 budget.  With California facing a budget shortfall of approximately $25.4 billion, the Governor's budget proposal includes $12.5 billion in spending reductions, $12 billion in revenues (to be achieved by maintaining current tax rates for another 5 years - subject to voter approval in June), and approximately $1.9 billion in borrowing and tax shifts.  These proposals would close the $25.4 billion budget shortfall and create an additional $1 billion for a rainy day fund. Good news:  The Governor is maintaining funding for the California Alzheimer's Disease Program and theCaregiver Resource Centers. As in the past, the Governor's budget does not identify cost increases in other areas of the state budget due to the following eliminations and reductions - these increases would primarily occur in nursing home and hospital expenditures in Medi-Cal, which are much more costly than home and community-based services.         The Governor proposes the complete elimination of: Adult Day Health Care , which would leave 27,000 beneficiaries without the vital services the program provides. Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) , which provides case management services to elderly clients who qualify for placement in a nursing facility but wish to remain in the community. In addition, the budget proposals include the followingsignificant reductions:$486.1 million in cuts to the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, which include: An 8.4% reduction in service hours:   This would implement an across-the-board reduction for all IHSS recipients, and would be in addition to the 3.6% reduction enacted in 2010-11.  The 8.4% reduction equates to a loss of 5 minutes of services per hour. Elimination of domestic and related services for recipients living with their provider :  Under this proposal, approximately 300,000 IHSS recipients living with their provider would no longer be eligible for domestic services (including housework, shopping for food, cooking, and laundry).   Requirement of physician certification for IHSS services :  Under current law, IHSS recipients must be assessed every 12-18 months by a county social worker to determine the types of services needed and the number of hours required.  This proposal would add to this process a medical evaluation, signed by a physician, that confirms IHSS services are being provided to those most at-risk of institutionalization. Elimination of state funding for county IHSS advisory committees :  Would eliminate the mandate for counties to establish advisory committees, which have been funded by the state. Reductions to the Medi-Cal program, similar to those proposed last year: Placing monetary limits on durable medical equipment and supplies. Limiting prescriptions (except life-saving drugs) to 6 per month and doctor visits to 10 per year. Implementation of mandatory co-payments for Medi-Cal beneficiaries, including $5 co-payments for physician, clinic, dental and pharmacy services, $50 co-payments on emergency room services, and a $100/day and $200 maximum co-payment for hospital stays. The Governor is also proposing significant realignment of state services - most to the counties but some back to the state.  In 2012 he is proposing the following: Shifting of all responsibility for Adult Protective Services (APS) to the counties in which the counties would be given total flexibility and discretion in administering the program. In preparing for implementation of health care reform, he proposes shifting certainMedi-Cal services now administered by the counties back to the state in order to ensure better coordination of all Medi-Cal services - this would bring IHSS back to the state.