FROM THE FOUNDATION

Redefining the Safety Net

Should California establish a Basic Health Program for certain low-income residents? CHCF's Marian Mulkey captures a recent policy conversation in a Health Affairs blog.

Accountable Care in Action

A new post on the Health Affairs blog details how CalPERS kept costs down in Sacramento through a "virtual" ACO with insurers and providers.

Career Opportunity: Senior Program Officer

This position will play a major role in furthering the goals and objectives of the foundation's Better Chronic Disease Care program.

Special Reports

Friday, October 23, 2009

Recent Injunction Blocking In-Home Care Cuts Highlights Impact of Reducing Safety-Net Care

On Oct. 19, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent California from cutting services for participants in the state's In-Home Supportive Services program.

About 130,000 IHSS participants were scheduled to lose some or all services beginning Nov. 1 because of budget cuts approved this summer.

In a California Healthline Special Report by David Gorn, experts discussed how service reductions could affect health care access and quality for vulnerable populations.

The Special Report includes comments from:

  • Melinda Bird, chief counsel for Disability Rights California;
  • Laura Dunn, medical ethicist at UC-San Francisco; and
  • Joseph Hafkenschiel, president of the California Association for Health Services at Home.

The California attorney general's office said it plans to appeal the judge's decision (Gorn, California Healthline, 10/23).

Running Time: 4:46

Reader Comments:
  • 1
  • 04/20/2010
  • Bobbi beer

It would be sad if In Home Support Services were reduced or eliminated for so many who are without friends or family who can
help take care of them.
The people could die in their homes without proper care, or end up
prematurely in nursing homes, a terrible commentary upon our social
system of how we take care of people who cannot fend for themselves.
I think the Governor needs to re-think his priorities.



Readers are invited to send feedback to: chl@chcf.org