LAO Notes Possible Challenges for Gov. Brown’s Proposed IHSS Cuts
Proposed cuts for California's In-Home Supportive Services program included in Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) fiscal year 2012-2013 budget proposal would be difficult to implement and likely would face legal challenges, according to a report from the Legislative Analyst's Office, HealthyCal reports.
IHSS provides services for the elderly and people who are blind or have disabilities (HealthyCal, 3/19).
Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor told the Legislature on Monday that Brown's proposed IHSS cuts raise "significant policy and legal concerns" (Walters, "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 3/19).
Background
Brown's $92.6 billion budget plan calls for cutting $163.8 million from IHSS by eliminating domestic assistance for beneficiaries in shared living environments (California Healthline, 2/28).
According to Brown, the IHSS cuts would reduce spending by 5% to $5.3 billion. Under the plan, the number of IHSS beneficiaries would decrease by 2.5% to an average of 422,993 individuals.
LAO Alternatives
Taylor told lawmakers that LAO is offering two alternative proposals for reducing IHSS costs:
- Extending a 3.6% across-the-board reduction in hours; and
- Reducing the amount the state pays in wages to IHSS caregivers.