California Representatives Demand CMS Reinstate $1.1B for IHSS Program

United States Representatives from California are urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reinstate $1.1 billion in federal funding for California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. This crucial program assists over 900,000 Californians, providing essential in-home care such as personal assistance and medical care, which allows individuals to stay in their communities instead of moving to institutional settings.

The lawmakers have raised concerns about CMS's justification for deferring the funds, which centers on allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse. They contend that these claims lack substantial evidence and stress that the funding delay adversely affects both beneficiaries and service providers. The delegation highlights that the rise in IHSS expenditures represents necessary investments to meet the growing demand for these services.

Further, the representatives emphasize that CMS should indeed focus on addressing issues like waste and fraud, but insist that solutions must be evidence-based and compliant with federal law to enhance program integrity. They warn that current funding deferrals may jeopardize the existing home care infrastructure and potentially increase federal spending by shifting individuals to costlier institutional care. The call is for CMS to reconsider this decision to maintain support for Medicaid-funded home-based services, which are critical to the health and financial stability of vulnerable populations in California.