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AFSCME members convince bill sponsor to oppose his own anti-worker legislation

AFSCME members convince bill sponsor to oppose his own anti-worker legislation 
 

State Rep. Brian Liss was drowned out by boos as he defended a proposal to ban collective bargaining by public employees. The bill's other co-sponsor, state Sen. Stan Adelstein, now actively opposes the bill. (Photo: Emily Spartz, Argus Leader)

State Rep. Brian Liss was drowned out by boos as he defended a proposal to ban collective bargaining by public employees. The bill’s other co-sponsor, state Sen. Stan Adelstein, now actively opposes the bill. (Photo: Emily Spartz, Argus Leader)
AFSCME members in South Dakota attended a town hall meeting last Saturday, helping to change the mind of one of the chief sponsors of a bill that would prohibit collective bargaining by public workers. Republican State Sen. Stan Adelstein not only pulled his sponsorship of this anti-worker bill, but will actively oppose the legislation and urge his colleagues to do the same. Read the rest of this entry »

Department of Health Care Services Releases Final Version of “Request for Solutions” for Medicare and Medicaid Dual Eligible Demonstration Project

CDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS REPORT 
CALIFORNIA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
#015-2012 - JANUARY 27, 2012 – FRIDAY NIGHT

California Budget Crisis:

*  Brown Administration Will Select Four Sites from Applicants Responding to “Request for Solutions” to Include In Demonstration Project Proposal to the Federal Government for Approval

*  Project Will Impact Hundreds of Thousands of Seniors and People With Disabilities Eligible for Both Medicare and Medi-Cal Moving Them in Early 2013 Into Medi-Cal Managed Health Care Plans or Similar Organized System of Healthcare

* Part of Larger Effort of Moving Most of Medi-Cal Population and Benefits Into Managed Care 

  Read the rest of this entry »

Walker’s political house of cards continues to crumble

Walker’s political house of cards continues to crumble
 
 
 

Scott Walker, pictured above, had a bad week last week (Photo: Craig Schreiner, Wisconsin State Journal)

Scott Walker, pictured above, had a bad week last week (Photo: Craig Schreiner, Wisconsin State Journal)

Award Presented to UDW Merced Chapter for their participation in the last Veterans Day parade

“For Sale” sign on Florida’s front lawn attracts attention

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Ind. GOP wants workers to walk their right-to-work-for-less plank

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Cuts to Medicaid Programs Avoided Due to ADA Compliance Issues

Published by PHI.org  January 26, 2012

Separate court proceedings in California and Louisiana last week upheld the right of elders and people with disabilities to receive care in their homes under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

In California, federal judge Claudia Wilken issued a preliminary injunction on Jan. 19 blocking the state from enacting a 20 percent cut to the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, which provides care to nearly 450,000 elders and people with disabilities who have Medicaid.

The cuts were initially scheduled to take place on Jan. 1, but were temporarily halted by Wilken last December due to concerns that they violated the ADA. Wilken reiterated those concerns in her latest injunction.

If ever enacted, the IHSS budget cut would cause 372,000 IHSS consumers to see reductions in home care services, possibly forcing them into nursing homes or other institutions — a violation of the ADA. In 1999, the Supreme Court ruled that the ADA gives seniors and people with disabilities the right to live at home if their care needs can be reasonably met there.  Read More

Stop “Dangerous” Budget Cuts Threatening Disabled Patients, Disabled San DIiego Man Implores: RALLY SET FOR FRIDAY

San Diego East County Magazine
By Miriam Raftery

Photo credit East County Magazine

January 25, 2012 (San Diego) – Raul Carranza has Muscular Dystrophy. He cannot walk, move his arms, eat or even breathe on his own. He requires round-the-clock nursing care—care denied after Medi-Cal slashed his nursing hours due to state budget cuts.

“Last year I moved away to UCLA by myself and lived away from my family for a whole semester,” he said. “Unfortunately I had to come back home to San Diego at the end of December.” That’s because the state cut his nursing hours, leaving him unable to survive on his own.

Now Carranza is asking for help to draw attention to how budget cuts are hurting disabled Californians. “Please join us so we can stop these cuts and save not only my life,” he says, “but thousands of others.”

Over the course of the last three years the state of California has approved approximately $15 billion in cuts to health care and social services, hurting those who cannot afford to care for themselves. These cuts have created hardships for California’s seniors, low-income families, children and people with disabilities and have cost the state thousands of jobs because of cuts from In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Medi-Cal.

The tragic consequences of these cuts will likely be that many patien Read the rest of this entry »

The Battle Against IHSS Budget Cuts

San Diego Entertainer Magazine
Jacquelyne Yawn, January 25, 2012

Most of the California residents have felt the harsh impact of budget cuts in one way or another in the past few years.

According to the Homecare Provider’s Union, last week federal district court judge Claudia Wilken, in Oakland, “issued a court order that will continue blocking the Brown Administration and the federal government from taking any steps to implement the 20% across-the-board reduction in service hours for hundreds of thousands of children and adults with disabilities – including people with developmental disabilities [such as autism] – and seniors who receive In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS).”

There is already resistance against the new budget cuts. During the Oster v. Lightbourne lawsuit case last Thursday, on January 19th, Wilken placed a preliminary injunction on the State of California to stop it from going forward with their 20% IHSS budget cuts. According to the Sacramento Bee, “The reduction would have slashed one-fifth of service hours for In-Home Supportive Services recipients to save the state $100 million over the next six months.”  Read More

AFSCME President McEntee Calls for Congress to Pass Pres. Obama’s Jobs Agenda


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Federal Court Gives Final Approval of Medi-Cal Adult Day Health Care Lawsuit Settlement

 CDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS REPORT 
#013-2012 - JANUARY 24, 2012 – TUESDAY

California Budget Crisis:   
Implementation of New Replacement “Community-Based Adult Services” Program As A Medi-Cal Managed Care Benefit To Take Effect March 1, 2012 Underway

SACRAMENTO, CA (CDCAN)  [Last updated 01/24/2012 03:00 PM] - A US district court judge gave final approval of a settlement of a federal lawsuit that requires the Brown Administration to create a new version of adult day health care, called “Community-Based Adult Services”  under Medi-Cal managed health care that will replace the existing Adult Day Health Care Medi-Cal benefit effective March 1, 2012.  The existing Adult Day Health Care Medi-Cal benefit will be eliminated effective February 29, 2012.   

The settlement was reached  and originally announced on November 17, 2011 with those filing the lawsuit (seven persons with disabilities and seniors representing over 35,000 people with disabilities and seniors currently receiving the Medi-Cal benefit provided by over 300 Adult Day Health Care Centers across the State) and the Department of Health Care Services, the state agency that oversees the Medicaid (called “Medi-Cal”) program.  US District Court Judge Saundra Brown gave preliminary approval of the settlement on December 14th and final approval today and said the settlement was “fair, adequate and reasonable” and a “win-win” for both sides     Read the rest of this entry »

AFSCME Members say “Democracy Not For Sale” in Arizona


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News & Media Coverage of January 19th IHSS Hearing

Activists protesting cuts outside of Oakland court, Thursday, Jan 19, 2012

TV COVERAGE

Critical Mention.com 
(Click the link to view all three stories)

Today in the Bay 
KNTV (NBC) San Francisco, CA DMA: 6 
Jan 20 2012 6:07AM PST

Ten O’Clock News 
KTVU (Fox)San Francisco, CA DMA: 6 
Jan 19 2012 10:35PM PST

NBC Bay Area News at 5 
KNTV (NBC)San Francisco, CA DMA: 6 
Jan 19 2012 5:05PM PST Read the rest of this entry »

Financial Flexibility Could Be Key to Helping Seniors

California Healthline,  January 19, 2012 
by David Gorn, California Healthline Sacramento Bureau

San Mateo County has one of the highest numbers of seniors per capita in California. To Susan Ehrlich, CEO of San Mateo County Medical Center, that was a challenge that became an opportunity.

The medical facility’s Senior Care Center focuses on integrated care for seniors.

“There is no clinic, public or private, that does what we do,” Ehrlich said. “There are just a zillion things that are critical for this population, and we take care of all of it.”

About two-thirds of the Senior Care Center’s patients are eligible for benefits under Medicare and Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. That’s precisely the population California health care officials are targeting with a demonstration pilot effort to begin the transition of about 1.1 million dual-eligible Californians into managed care. The goal is to improve care and save money. Read the rest of this entry »

Hoosiers Want to Vote on Right-To-Work-For-Less


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Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction That Continues Stopping State & Federal Governments From Implementing 20% IHSS Across the Board Reduction

CDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS REPORT 
#010-2012 - JANUARY 19, 2012 – THURSDAY

State Budget Crisis – Breaking News:

FEDERAL JUDGE ISSUES PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION THAT CONTINUES STOPPING STATE & FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS FROM IMPLEMENTING 20% IHSS ACROSS THE BOARD REDUCTION

SACRAMENTO, CA (CDCAN)  [Last updated 01/19/2012 03:32 PM] -  A federal district court judge in Oakland, as expected, issued a court order that will continue blocking the Brown Administration and the federal government from taking any steps to implement the 20% across-the-board reduction in service hours for hundreds of thousands of children and adults with disabilities – including people with developmental disabilities – and seniors who receive In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS).  The reduction would have also impact hundreds of thousands of IHSS workers.   US District Court Judge Claudia Wilken issued the court order – called a “preliminary injunction”  during the hearing held today in her court room in Oakland.   The State will likely appeal the court order.    The order issued today by Judge Wilken remains in effect unless a higher federal court – in this case the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals or the US Supreme Court decides to reverse it or if Judge Wilken decides at a later date to modify (change) it in some way. 

  Read the rest of this entry »

Senate Budget Committee to Hold Informational Budget Hearings on Medi-Cal Managed Care Proposals and Calworks

CDCAN DISABILITY RIGHTS REPORT 
#011-2012 - JANUARY 19, 2012 – THURSDAY

State Budget Crisis:
February 23rd Hearing Will Focus on Long Term Care and Medi-Cal Managed Care Proposals Including Impact on In-Home Supportive Services and the Multipurpose Senior Servces Program – Time for Public Comment

SACRAMENTO, CA (CDCAN)  [Last updated 01/19/2012 03:50 PM] -  As part of the long legislative budget process, the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee will hold three informational hearings in February and March, including a February 23rd hearing focusing on the Governor’s controversial proposals that include shifting persons with disabilities and seniors eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal into Medi-Cal managed care plans.  That hearing will also hear the impact of the Governor’s proposal to make In-Home Supportive Services a Medi-Cal managed care benefit for those persons begining next January, and also the impact on the Multi-Purpose Senior Services (MSSP) programs.  Senate budget staff said there will be time for public comment. Read the rest of this entry »

Crucial US District Court Hearing Thursday Afternoon to Consider Whether to Continue Court Order Blocking 20% IHSS Cuts

CALIFORNIA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
#009-2012 - JANUARY 18, 2012 – WEDNESDAY

State Budget Crisis:  

Brown Administration Moves Ahead In Filing Appeals Blocking Medi-Cal Provider Cuts in Three Different Lawsuits – Senate Budget Committee Will Hold Overview Informational Hearing on Governor’s Proposed Budget Thursday  

SACRAMENTO, CA (CDCAN)  [Last updated 01/18/2012 06:30 PM] -  A federal district court judge in Oakland is scheduled to hold a court hearing Thursday afternoon (January 19th) at 2:00 PM to consider whether or not to issue a more permanent court order that would continue stopping the Brown Administration from taking any steps to implement a 20% across-the-board reduction in service hours that would total over $100 million in cuts in State general fund spending for hundreds of thousands of children and adults with disabilities – including people with developmental disabilities – and seniors who receive In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS).  The reduction would also impact hundreds of thousands of IHSS workers. [CDCAN will issue a report immediately when information is available] Read the rest of this entry »

Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction That Continues To Stop State & Feds From Implementing 20% IHSS Cut

Thursday, January 19, 2012

UDW joins with protesters braving the rain outside of courtroom in Oakland

A federal district court judge in Oakland, as expected, issued a court order that will continue blocking the Brown Administration and the federal government from taking any steps to implement the 20% across-the-board reduction in service hours for hundreds of thousands of children and adults with disabilities – including people with developmental disabilities – and seniors who receive In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). The reduction would have also impact hundreds of thousands of IHSS workers. US District Court Judge Claudia Wilken issued the court order – called a “preliminary injunction” during the hearing held today in her court room in Oakland. The State will likely appeal the court order. Read the rest of this entry »

The Truth About Budget Cuts

From Families USA.  The Voice for Healthcare Consumers
January 18, 2012

In November, you helped win an important victory. Members of the super committee wanted to make drastic cuts to Medicare and Medicaid so that they could protect tax giveaways for corporations and the super rich. But, together with hundreds of thousands of advocates across the country, you helped stop them.

Unfortunately, we don’t have much time to celebrate. New plans are already being proposed that would undo last summer’s budget agreement. That means Medicare and Medicaid could be put back on the chopping block—all so the super rich don’t have to pay their fair share. Read the rest of this entry »

One Million WI Voters Sign Petition to Recall Gov. Walker


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Consumers With Disabilities Seniors & Care Providers Will be Hurt by Southern CA Edison Rate Hikes

Southern California Edison is seeking to raise or redesign its electricity rates in a way that will harm the state’s low-income residents, including many people with disabilities who often live on a fixed incomes and rely on utilities more than the average Californian. The Center for Accessible Technology (CforAT) is opposing the proposals before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). We are collecting individual consumer stories to help us persuade the CPUC to reject Southern California Edison’s proposed rate increases.

These stories will help decision-makers understand the real-world impact of increased utility bills on individuals with disabilities and fixed incomes. This type of information is essential in providing a complete picture to the PUC of the harmful effects of proposed rate hikes.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORY

If anyone in your household has a disability, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund wants to hear from you.

• Do you struggle to pay your utility bills?

• Would an increase in utility rates harm your ability to pay for all yourmonthly expenses?

• Have you ever been forced to choose between paying your utility bill and a bill for another service?  What choices have you made?

Please share your real-world stories of consumers with disabilities no later than Friday, January 20, 2012, by contacting Nicolie Bolster at Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund.  You can reach Nicolie at:.

You can reach Nicolie at:
Nicolie Bolster
800-348-4232 (Toll-Free)
Email: nbolster@dredf.org

 

Download a PDF flyer of this notice to print and share

 

UDW 2012 Constitutional Convention Set for Costa Mesa This Week

 

UDW delegates and leaders from throughout California will attend the union’s 2012 Constitutional Convention this week in Orange County.

The convention is slated for Thursday, January 19th through Saturday, January 21st

at the Costa Mesa Hilton Hotel, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa.

During the two-day convention, delegates from across the state will hear from speakers on a wide range of issues.  Among the speakers will be:  

  • Lee Saunders, Secretary-Treasurer of the 1.6 million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) — Friday 1/20
  • Gary Passmore, Vice President of the Congress of California Seniors — Saturday 1/21
  • State Senator Leland Yee (8th District) — Friday 1/20
  • Gail Ennis, President, California United Homecare Workers Union (CUHW) — Saturday 1/21
  • UDW President Laura Reyes — Friday, 1/20
  • UDW Executive Director, Doug Moore — Friday 1/20

In addition, delegates will be able to participate in workshops on Communications, Advocacy/Lobbying and the ASFCSME PEOPLE Political Action Program.

See election results for candidates

In-Home Supportive Services helps Tulare County’s elderly, disabled stay in homes and faces more cuts

Visalia Times-Delta  January 13, 2012

Photo credit, Visalia Times-DeltaRick Jones is partially paralyzed, unable to walk and relies on in-home care to avoid institutionalization. Jones is living in an apartment and hopes to stay. Ron Holman

Rick Jones is partially paralyzed, unable to walk and relies on in-home care to avoid institutionalization. Jones is living in an apartment and hopes to stay. Ron Holman

At the age of 42, Rick Jones suffered a paralyzing brain hematoma. In the time since he was released from the hospital in 2003, the now 56-year-old Visalian has relied on state-funded in-home care services.

Brain damage limits his mobility and his hearing has degenerated as a result. Although he has been implanted with a nerve stimulation device, his chronic symptoms often manifest as seizures.
But the former swimming pool subcontractor manages to live on his own with assistance from a state-paid caregiver who provides basic housekeeping.  Read More

Placer County: Locals react to proposal to cut In-Home Supportive Services

Funds may no longer be provided for meal preparation and errands
Auburn Journal  By Sara Seyydin Journal Staff Writer

Some locals say they may feel the sting of a proposal by Gov. Jerry Brown to eliminate $163 million in funding to in-home supportive services in his latest budget proposal.

Locals in the program say that without that funding it would be difficult to care for a patient or relative. County officials say the changes may not even come to fruition, while local non-profits say they have seen an increased demand for services when in-home supportive services have been cut in the past.

The cut would eliminate funding for domestic and related in-home supportive services for those with a shared-living arrangement. Domestic and related tasks include housecleaning, meal preparation and clean-up, shopping for food, laundry and errands, as defined in Brown’s budget plan.

One family’s story…Read More