As of yesterday, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has deferred $1.1 billion in funding for California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, citing concerns over fraud. This decision comes amid many such major cuts under the pretense of combatting fraud that will do great harm to disabled people in America.

Disability Rights California is outraged by this decision, which threatens critical supports for hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities and older adults who rely on IHSS to live safely in their homes and communities. IHSS is a federally approved Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program and a cornerstone of California’s efforts to help people avoid unnecessary institutionalization and live in the most integrated settings as required by state and federal law.

Programs like IHSS make it possible for people to remain in their homes, maintain family and community connections, and avoid more restrictive and costly institutional care. IHSS providers help with getting out of bed, eating, bathing, dressing, taking medications, and other essential daily activities that allow people to remain safely in their chosen communities. This decision threatens to destabilize this crucial system. It disregards the people who rely on these services and devalues the workforce that makes independent community living possible for disabled Californians. We also know that any cuts to IHSS will disproportionately harm disabled Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, people with a first language other than English, and others who historically face disparities in access to long term care.

Disability Rights California appreciates the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for its strong support of IHSS and other HCBS programs, and for recognizing the essential role these services play in advancing the rights, dignity, health, and independence of Californians with disabilities.

Disability Rights California urges the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to immediately restore the deferred IHSS funds and avoid actions that threaten access to IHSS and other Home and Community-Based Services. DRC will continue to advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities who rely on these critical services to live safely and independently in their communities.

Media Contact

Sam Mickens
Director of Communications
(646) 945-0918
Sam.Mickens@disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of DRC is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.