Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Disability advocates, caregivers, families and state lawmakers gathered at the California State Capitol on Monday to oppose Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed $367.7 million reduction to the state’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, warning the cuts could jeopardize care for thousands of seniors and people with disabilities.
The rally, led by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio), focused on provisions included in the governor’s May budget revision that would reduce spending on IHSS, a program that helps eligible Californians remain in their homes and communities rather than move into institutional care settings.
Advocates said the proposed reductions would shift significant costs to counties, eliminate safeguards for some recipients and reduce access to critical services that allow people with disabilities and older adults to live independently. Speakers urged lawmakers to reject the cuts as budget negotiations continue in Sacramento.
“The governor’s proposal would shift nearly $370 million in costs onto counties, creating uncertainty for those who rely on approved care hours,” Gonzalez said during the rally. He added that the proposal would also eliminate protections that help recipients maintain services during Medi-Cal transitions, reinstate restrictive asset limits and eliminate the backup provider system used by many families when caregivers are unavailable.
Additional savings are expected to come from ending temporary IHSS coverage for some recipients who lose Medi-Cal eligibility, restoring a $2,000 Medi-Cal asset limit for individuals and eliminating the IHSS Backup Provider System.
Several speakers argued that the changes would disproportionately affect vulnerable Californians who depend on consistent in-home care. Elizabeth, a disability advocate who addressed the crowd, described herself as “a proud immigrant’s daughter and proud to be part of California’s diverse disability community.”
Gonzalez pledged to continue fighting the proposal and called on state leaders to protect services that support independent living. “I will continue standing with this community and fighting to protect these critical services,” he said.
According to the governor’s office, proposed reductions are part of broader efforts to address California’s budget challenges.
