Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION NO. 20-100, OPPOSING GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S FY2020-2021 MAY REVISION PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE FUNDING FOR CALIFORNIA ADULT COMMUNITY-BASED ADULT SERVICES (CBAS) AND MULTIPURPOSE SENIOR SERVICES PROGRAM (MSSP) (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
This item is on the agenda at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Jim Dear.
The Governor’s May Revise proposes to eliminate Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) and Multipurpose Senior Services Programs (MSSP) due to Budget shortfalls. Residents of the City of Carson depend on these programs for a wide variety of services that are rarely offered elsewhere. A resolution opposing these cuts and supporting these senior programs is an effective advocacy tool and an appropriate statement on the issue.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
approve Resolution No. 20-100, “a resolution of the city council of the city of carson, california, opposing Governor Newsom’s FY2020-2021 May Revision proposal to eliminate funding for California Adult Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) and Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)”
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
The Governor’s May Revise of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget represents a dramatic change from the Governor’s January Budget, as it reflects the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the State’s economy, as well as the increased demand for many services that the State offers. The full impact of the pandemic has led to a projected budget deficit of $54 billion, with an out-year structural deficit of approximately $45 billion per year. This deficit has materialized in the last three months, as the State has seen a 22.3% reduction in state revenues generated from sales tax, personal income tax, and corporate taxes. In response, Governor Newsom has proposed a budget that addresses the short fall through a mix of budget cuts, revenue generating measures, internal borrowing, accessing of state reserves, and increased resources from the federal government.
Some of the areas being proposed for elimination are Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) and Multipurpose Senior Services Programs (MSSP) that are sponsored and paid for by the State. The effective date for CBAS would be January 1, 2021 for a General Fund savings of $106.8 million in 2020-21 and $255.8 million in 2021-22 (full implementation). The effective date for MSSP would be no sooner than July 1, 2020.
CBAS and MSSP programs serve extremely vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities who are at risk of institutional placement in order to participate. These programs are an essential component of California’s home and community-based services system and help the state to ensure compliance with the United States Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision. They are a lifeline for thousands of seniors and people with disabilities; elimination of these programs will decimate community supports for people who need them most, at a time when institutional placement is a deadly alternative.
Specifically, CBAS is a community-based health program funded by Medi-Cal (with some private pay recipients) that provides health and social services to seniors and adults with disabilities who are at risk of institutional placement. CBAS serves approximately 36,000 people, 34,679 of whom are Medi-Cal eligible. Participants in the program are individuals with Alzheimer’s dementia, serious psychiatric disabilities, other cognitive disabilities and/or significant health issues such as heart disease, cancer or Parkinson’s disease. Most participants require care and supervision by family members and other caregivers around the clock. CBAS provides both the medical care and supports needed for these individuals to remain at home. If services are not provided seamlessly, in accordance with existing plans of care, these individuals will be forced into nursing facilities or face hospitalization, or even death.
The MSSP waiver program provides home and community-based services to Medi-Cal eligible individuals who are 65 years or older and have disabilities, as an alternative to nursing facility placement. MSSP serves approximately 12,000 low-income seniors, and provides community-based case management, linkages to other needed services, and can fund or purchase some services needed to help participants remain in their homes.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
N/A
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution No. 20 - 100 will be provided for the Special Council meeting.*
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Prepared by: David C. Roberts, Jr., Assistant City Manager