Fear is growing over the possibility that Governor Schwarzenegger may end a $5 billion California program that provides in-home care for the disabled and elderly. The move would be part of the governor's effort to patch a $20 billion budget hole.
In a letter to the state's congressional delegation, the governor said a federal court decision to block deep cuts to In Home Supportive Services may force him to terminate the program. Those words have sparked alarm among the 25,000 people in San Diego who receive help with tasks like bathing and feeding.
Tom Downs is a quadraplegic. He says his life as he knows it will end if IHSS is eliminated.
"If this happens, boy, I'll lose everything that I have," Downs said. "My independence, state of mind. I won't be up in the chair where I can spend most of my time, in the chair outside, as I do today. As I did when I was walking."
News of the program's fate could come as early as tomorrow when the governor releases next year's budget.
