SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, released the following statement in response to the settlement reached today by Adult Day Health Care advocates and the State of California:

“Today, the 35,000 recipients of adult day health care, their families, and the 7,000 jobs it generates, get a significant reprieve. The settlement reached between the adult day health care community and the state will continue this vital program until February 29, 2012. Starting in March, a new program will be implemented called ‘Community-Based Adult Services’ (CBAS).  Similar to ADHC, CBAS will offer center-based skilled health and nursing care, therapies, transportation and other services, to eligible low income seniors and people with disabilities. I commend the resilience and hard work that advocates have demonstrated throughout the fight to preserve adult day health-like services.

In July, the Department of Healthcare Services undertook an impossible and costly plan to transition thousands of disabled recipients out of ADHC.  This transition plan took an unfortunate human and financial toll on recipients, family and the state budget. The people of California deserve accountability. I plan to continue the state’s oversight on this multi-million dollar ongoing ‘transition’.

Let me be clear, today is not the end of this battle.  This is an important victory, but the Silver Tsunami is here and cannot be ignored.  We must continue to fight for this program and all programs that help our most vulnerable elders and disabled adults live in the community with dignity while also saving the state money.”

Contact: Rachel Linn, (916) 319-2008