BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2274
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 28, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2274 (Beall) - As Introduced: February 18, 2010
Policy Committee: Human
ServicesVote:4 - 1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill allows an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) recipient
who receives services from an entity authorized by the Medicaid
Independence Plus waiver (the 1115 waiver) to select any
qualified person to provide the services.
FISCAL EFFECT
Any costs associated with this legislation should be minor and
absorbable within existing resources.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose . California is currently in the process of renewing
its "Section 1115" Medicaid Independence Plus waiver, which is
due to expire on July 31, 2010. These federal waivers
authorize demonstration programs to assist individuals in
avoiding institutionalization and maximizing the efficient use
of community services and supports. IHSS recipients with
parent or spouse providers receive services under California's
current Section 1115 waiver.
The specifics of California's new Section 1115 waiver have yet
to be determined. The sponsor of this bill, Services
Employees International Union (SEIU), notes, however, that
"major changes to programs made within short time frames--the
1115 waiver amendments are on a course for summer 2010--can
result in accidental omissions that potentially harm people
who rely on the programs being changed." Thus, the author
says, this bill simply ensures that the right of recipients to
choose their provider will not be interrupted or interfered
AB 2274
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with through any new program model that may be authorized
under California's new Section 1115 waiver.
2)In-Home Supportive Services Program . The IHSS Program helps
pay for services so elderly, disabled, or blind individuals
can remain in their own homes. To be eligible, an applicant
must be over 65 years of age, disabled, or blind. Disabled
children are also eligible. IHSS is considered an alternative
to out-of-home care, such as nursing homes or board and care
facilities.
IHSS services are: housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry,
grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and
bladder care, bathing, grooming and paramedical services),
accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective
supervision for the mentally impaired. IHSS consists of four
programs, including: Personal Care Services Program (PCSP),
IHSS Plus Waiver Program (IPW), IHSS Residual Program (IRP),
and Medi-Cal Waiver Personal Care Program (MWPCS). The PCSP,
IPW, and IRP are administered at the county level by county
welfare departments and at the state level by the Adult
Programs Division within CDSS. The Medi-Cal Waiver Personal
Care Services (MWPCS) Program is administered through
Department of Health Care Services. A portion of the costs for
IHSS services are paid by federal funding. The entire program
consists of over 400,000 recipients and about 325,000 IHSS
workers.
Analysis Prepared by : Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)
319-2081