State budget cut shurt disabled, frail

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May 17 Readers' letters

From Mercury News readers


Posted: 05/16/2010 04:15:04 PM PDT
Updated: 05/16/2010 04:15:05 PM PDT


State budget cut shurt disabled, frail

As part of his budget plan, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating IHSS, the state's fastest-growing social services program, which pays caregivers to help the disabled and the frail elderly.

Nearly half a million disabled Californians get subsidized home care.

Without IHSS, many current clients would be forced to move to skilled-nursing centers that accept Medi-Cal patients. At an average expense of $55,000 a year, nursing homes cost five times as much per IHSS client.

The number of skilled-nursing-center beds has dwindled through the years as IHSS's success has grown at helping the elderly continue living independently.

Ted Rudow III,MA

Menlo Park