Free Republic

As they reduced the budget deficit last month, Democrats repeatedly emphasized the ideological sacrifices they made in cutting California's safety net. But in the fastest-growing social program over the past decade – in-home care – Democrats shelved cuts pushed by Gov. Jerry Brown in favor of alternatives backed by allies in organized labor. Brown proposed saving $365 million by reducing In-Home Supportive Services across the board and eliminating paid domestic services provided by live-in caregivers, often relatives. The Legislature instead opted to rely on new federal funds, use a pilot project involving automatic medication dispensers and assume fewer people will...

Sacramento -- There is more pain ahead for elderly, disabled and poor Californians. Schwarzenegger has proposed reducing caregiver pay under the In Home Support Services program -- used by 446,000 Californians with disabilities -- from a maximum of $10.10 per hour (including benefits) to $8.60. That will make it tougher to find help. "I expect suicides, premature deaths, a horrible disruption of the social fabric. . . . We're headed toward market-based social Darwinism where only the fittest will survive."

<p>As Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger renews his drive this week to control the growth in state spending, one of his targets will be in-home care for the elderly and the disabled. The governor is certain to be derided as cold-hearted and mean-spirited for even proposing reductions in this program. But a look at its history and recent growth suggests that the service is long overdue for a serious examination.</p>