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Homecare providers protest budget cuts

Brian Watt
May 22, 2009
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The state's budget shortfall is massive - and Governor Schwarzenegger says severe cuts in health care and human services are coming. Homecare providers in the Southland took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles Friday to tell the governor to keep his scissors away from their salaries. KPCC's Brian Watt reports.

Those salaries go as high as 12 dollars an hour. But the governor's "May Revise" budget would trim that down to 8 dollars – minimum wage. It would also limit the care provided to people with the highest need. That's why many of the thousand or so home care providers who converged on Spring Street brought along their patients – like 51-year-old Ann McClellan of Santa Ana.

Ann McClellan: I'll have to go into a nursing home, which will cost more.
Watt: Is it something you can afford?
McClellan: No.

Watt: McClellan has cerebral palsy. She's can't use her hands. She's been wheelchair bound almost since birth – and relies on three homecare workers to do... everything for her.

Watt: Is there anything else you want to say about what's going on here today?
McClellean: I just think it's a travesty that the people are making so much money – the legislatures – and we're going without care, because people don't want to– excuse me, but, don't want to wipe our asses for 8 dollars. That's basically what she does for me. So, yeah, that's pretty graphic, I'm sorry. But that's the truth.

Watt: And the truth in Sacramento – says a spokesman for the state Finance Department – is that tough times call for tough cuts that hurt everyone.

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