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| Update on Governor's Revised Budget Proposal |
| Last month's issue of the PASC E-News included detailed information on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's revised state budget proposal, which was released in May and included many proposed cuts that would affect seniors and individuals with disabilities. Although the June 30th deadline to pass the state budget has come and gone, the Governor, Assembly and Senate continue to be at a stalemate with respect to several key issues within the budget. PASC remains strongly opposed to the Governor's proposed cuts and is continuing to work with other organizations statewide to make our legislators aware of the damaging effects that these cuts may have on our community of seniors and people with disabilities.
Below is a list of cuts that have been discussed. At this time, it is not known whether any of the proposed cuts will remain in the final budget. For more detailed information on the proposed cuts, please see the June edition of the PASC E-News. Additional information on the Governor's budget proposal can be obtained by visiting www.ebudget.ca.gov or www.lao.ca.gov.
Proposed Cuts that Will Impact Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
- Eliminate domestic and related service hours for approximately 80,000 IHSS consumers.
- Make 8,000 IHSS consumers responsible for paying for the difference between their IHSS share of cost and their Medi-Cal share of cost. (This differential is currently being funded by the state.)
- Reduce IHSS worker wages to the minimum wage of $8.00/hour.
- Reduce by 10% the funds used for county administration of the IHSS Program.
- Schedule IHSS reassessments every 18 months instead of every 12 months.
- Suspend the SSI/SSP cost of living adjustments (COLAs) that are set to go into effect in October 2008 and June 2009.
- Reduce by 10% Medi-Cal reimbursement payments to physicians and Medi-Cal providers.
- Eliminate the optional benefits under the Medi-Cal Program, which includes coverage for dental care, optometry, podiatry, and incontinence creams and washes, etc.
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| California Telephone Access Program |
The California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) is a telecommunications loan program for individuals who have difficulty using the telephone. This state program provides free telephonic equipment and limited network services to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, have speech disabilities, are blind, or have restricted mobility.
Persons wishing to apply for the CTAP must complete an application form, a portion of which must be completed by a doctor, audiologist, optometrist, rehabilitation counselor, or any other authorized agent. Once the application is complete, the individual's needs are determined and matched with the appropriate equipment and services. If necessary, the CTAP also arranges for training in the use of the equipment and services.
For more information on the CTAP, please go to www.ddtp.org/CTAP. |
| Do you have questions about PASC and the IHSS Program? Do you have suggestions for topics to be covered in the PASC E-News? Send your questions and suggestions to e-news@pascla.org. PASC E-News is designed for you to get the information you need! |
| Obtaining Managed Care With L.A. Care Health Plan |
| Seniors and individuals with disabilities who receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability Income) and who are on Medi-Cal have a choice of how their Medi-Cal services are provided. They can remain in the traditional "fee-for-service" Medi-Cal program or they can enroll in a managed care plan that can assist in coordinating their care within a network of physicians, specialists, hospitals, equipment companies, and pharmacies.
L.A. Care Health Plan provides options for Medi-Cal recipients who wish to have a managed care plan. This public healthcare agency serves approximately 800,000 individuals in L.A. County through the Medi-Cal, Medicare, Healthy Families and Healthy Kids programs. It provides managed care through a variety of options, including Anthem Blue Cross, Care 1st Health Plan, Kaiser Permanente, and L.A Care Health Plan.
For more information on the L.A. Care Health Plan or how to enroll in a managed care plan, call 213-694-1250. |
| Beat the Summer Heat |
| The County of Los Angeles provides cooling centers throughout the county for seniors who want to beat the heat. These centers are safe locations where seniors can get out of the heat during the heat waves we experience throughout the summer. The centers are not open on the weekends or at night, but during the day, Monday through Friday, the public is welcomed inside for some cool air.
To find a cooling center in your area and for tips on staying cool, visit the L.A. Department of Public Health's website at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov and click on "Beat the Heat". |
| Diabetes Awareness Part 1: Type I Diabetes |
| When we eat, some of the food is broken down into glucose, which is a main source of fuel for the body. After digestion, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by cells for growth and energy. Insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, must be present in order for glucose to be absorbed into the cell. Diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas either produces little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. An individual can be diagnosed with several different types of diabetes. Over the next few months, we will highlight the different types and discuss the symptoms and treatment options for each. This month, we begin with type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack and destroy the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. At present, scientists do not know exactly what causes the body's immune system to attack the beta cells, but they believe that autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors such as viruses, are involved. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diabetes diagnoses in the United States. It develops most often in children and young adults, but can appear at any age.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop over a short period and may include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue. Healthy eating, physical activity, and taking insulin on a daily basis are the most common therapies for type 1 diabetes. Individuals with type 1 diabetes must closely monitor their blood glucose levels through frequent testing.
For more information on diabetes please visit the American Diabetes Association's website at www.diabetes.org. |
| Resource Spotlight: Casa Maravilla |
| Did you know that Casa Maravilla in English means "House of Wonder"? But don't let the name fool you. Even though the name is in Spanish, Casa Maravilla serves hundreds of individuals who speak many languages throughout East Los Angeles and parts of Montebello.
Services offered by Casa Maravilla include a meal program open to anyone age 60 or above, meal delivery service for seniors who are not physically able to get to the center, assistance with utility issues, a furnace repair/replacement program and help with installing energy-saving devices, such as light bulbs or windows.
For more information on the services offered by Casa Maravilla, please give them a call at 323-869-4500. |
| Upcoming Trainings and Events
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For information on additional events, please visit the Calendar section of our website at www.pascla.org.
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| PASC Legislation Watch
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