Statement from Laphonza Butler, President, SEIU United Long Term Care Workers (ULTCW) on Cuts to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) in Governor Jerry Brown's 2011 Budget:

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "We are, of course, disappointed with the Governor's proposal of nearly $500 million in cuts to the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, and have grave concerns about the hardship that these cuts would impose on the 440,000 low-income seniors and people with disabilities who rely on the IHSS program to live safely at home.

"The 8.4 percent proposed reduction of IHSS hours to all recipients, in addition to last year's 3.6 percent cuts, as well as the elimination of all domestic care services for certain recipients will result in countless lives being placed in danger. For these individuals, some of the most vulnerable citizens in our state, every hour of care they receive is a vital hour that they can't afford to lose. For caregivers, these cuts mean fewer hours of work, possible loss of healthcare benefits, and the potential for job loss at a time when the state's unemployment rates are already at historic highs.

"We understand that the budget crisis in California is serious, and did not expect that our state's fiscal problems would go away with the election of Jerry Brown as Governor. We are hopeful, however, that the Governor will continue to discuss and explore solutions to the funding problems through meetings with representatives from all over California, including consumer organizations, elected officials, provider representatives, and other interested parties. We are confident that further discussions would yield solutions that could protect lifeline services like IHSS.

"As we seek these solutions we must keep in mind that home care saves lives while saving California taxpayers money. IHSS, a nearly 40-year old program that was signed into law by former Governor Ronald Reagan, is a budget solution."

SEIU United Long Term Care Workers (ULTCW) is California's leading long term care organization dedicated to providing and protecting quality care for some of our most vulnerable residents. SEIU ULTCW represents 180,000 in-home care providers and nursing home workers throughout California, making it the largest union of long term caregivers in California and the second largest SEIU Local in the nation.

SOURCE SEIU United Long Term Care Workers