California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said today he plans terminate an in-home care program for the disabled to help close a budget shortfall unless the federal government gives the state $7 billion.
The governor proposes eliminating the $5 billion In-Home Supportive Services program in his 2011 budget. More than 450,000 disabled people, seniors and the blind rely on IHSS for help in cleaning their homes, cleaning themselves , cooking and feeding. Kristine Loomis has a severe form of arthritis that has left her in a wheelchair.
“Losing my home care workers would be completely catastrophic. I use home care providers to go to the bathroom, to bathe, eat. I can’t even roll over in bed without their help,” Loomis said.
Disabled advocates say they plan to lobby the legislature hard to keep the program.
