Any cuts to home care reimbursements are simply disastrous. In particular, the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) is the most inexpensive home care model in New York State. In fact, CDPAP saves millions of dollars every year when compared to other models of home care. For years and years, advocates have emphasized that Medicaid is the social safety net. What everyone needs to realize is that CDPAP is the savings net. If you unravel this savings net that already drastically reduces spending – you threaten the very basis of the inherent cost savings – therefore we all lose with seniors and people with disabilities forced to obtain higher cost services.

It is now anticipated that Governor Paterson’s proposal to increase the Gross Receipts Tax on home care by .35% will be included in one of the upcoming extenders, or the final budget agreement.

Our organization is currently in catastrophic jeopardy from drastic cuts that have taken place before this latest proposal. On June 7, the Legislature passed emergency budget extender legislation submitted by Governor Paterson that contained a total of $775 million in state-share cuts and reduction actions to health care, as well as actions to increase state revenue. These cuts include over $90 million in cuts to home care according to the Home Care Association of New York State.

Enough is enough!

These cuts don’t shave off seemingly “unnecessary administrative” expenses. Due to the structure of reimbursement rates, it is the direct care worker who is suffering – not a little – but severely. It is ridiculous to threaten the very fabric of living safely in the community for thousands of New Yorkers. Without direct care workers, there is no home care. When fast food companies already offer competitive wages with benefits– is it any wonder there is a direct care workforce shortage? These are hard working people who provide essential home healthcare services and spend money in their local economies. These are the people who assist our moms, dads, wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, grandmas, grandpas, sons and daughters – if you don’t currently know someone who need home care services it is only a matter of time. What do you want for your loved ones? What would you want for yourself? We are counting on the State Legislature to do the right thing in the upcoming week and oppose any more heinous home care cuts.

Please contact your legislator now and tell them: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”

You can go HERE to find your Senator, or HERE for your Assembly Member.

If you would prefer to call your legislator, each chamber’s switchboard is:
Senate: (518) 455-2800
Assembly: (518) 455-4100