Impact of California State Budget Delay on the Disabled and Seniors

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

• More Community Providers Reaching Crisis Point
• Bakersfield Senior Program to Close Down

By Marty D. Omoto
Director/Organizer
California Disability Community Action Network

With the State not able to pay over $1 billion in reimbursements, with some exceptions, thousands of community-based providers have reached or are reaching crisis points that could mean reductions in critical services to seniors, children and adults with disabilities, low income children, people with mental health needs and others across California who are receive a wide range of programs and services, including those in nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, adult day health centers serving seniors, independent living centers and more.

Last week, DSN, a statewide provider organization of health facilities, said that many nursing homes and intermediate care facilities that serve seniors and persons with developmental disabilities face the possibility of reductions in services or closure.

Bakersfield Senior Program Set to Close Friday: "Lost Faith in Government" Says Provider

The first of some 340 adult day service providers in California - who serve over 38,000 seniors and adults with significant disabilities - announced yesterday (August 8) that it will close its doors this week as the direct result of the California legislature’s failure to pass a budget. The facility, Chateau D'Bakersfiled, in Bakersfield, depends entirely on state funding to provide a wide range of services, from skilled nursing and medical supervision to meals and physical, occupational and speech therapy, for up to 140 local seniors and adults.

Sam Mohan, who with his wife Anu, operates the Bakersfield program said with apparent desperation that “We have been providing services to participants without reimbursement for weeks. I’ve lost faith in government.

Mahon added that “We have pleaded with the government to help us continue operating. With 100% of our funds coming from Medi-Cal to serve these low income individuals, we are completely dependent on state funding. The cash flow has stopped and we are left with no choice but to close."