SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the adoption of Proposition 35 (Prop 35), the California Legislature’s approved budget deal to provide financial support for private duty nursing (PDN) has been eliminated, endangering California’s medically fragile children. PDN allows a child with complex medical conditions to live at home, not a hospital, at substantial savings to the state. Dean Chalios, President & CEO of the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH), issued a statement today in response.
“While we support investing in the Medi-Cal program and healthcare safety net, Proposition 35 neglects to include funding for private duty nursing. Last year, the Legislature and Governor Newsom committed to provide improved Medi-Cal rates for private duty nursing, but that commitment is now in jeopardy. Currently, more than 1,000 families across the state are looking for in-home comprehensive care for their children’s complex medical needs. In order to support this most critical of patient populations, it is imperative for the state to improve Medi-Cal rates for private duty nursing, now and in the future. Only then, can we help contain costs and most importantly promote a better quality of life for California’s medically fragile patients and their families.
“We are urging Governor Newsom and the California Legislature to continue to protect previously approved funding for private duty nursing and bring these children home. As it stands now, families are unable to get the care they need at home, which means patients are staying in the hospital unnecessarily and occupying much-needed hospital beds. Not only does this significantly impact the state financially, but it is also not in the best interest of our medically fragile patient population.”
The California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) is a nonprofit association representing California's licensed home health, home care, and hospice providers across the state. Established in 1966, CAHSAH is one of the oldest and largest state home care associations in the nation with a long tradition of service dedicated to promoting quality home care and enhancing the effectiveness of the home care industry.
CAHSAH represents hundreds of provider locations including Medicare Certified and licensed home health agencies, hospices, providers of non-medical personal care service in the home, home infusion pharmacies, and over 100 affiliate members including suppliers of products, computer companies, consulting firms, and insurance providers.
