| Last Updated: | 1/28/2011 |
| Budget Issue: | Elimination of the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) |
| Program: | California Department of Aging |
| Finding or Recommendation: | Reject elimination and instead reduce the MSSP program by $5 million General Fund. (The Governor's proposed elimination of MSSP is estimated to save $19.9 million General Fund.) Direct the Departments of Aging and Health Care Services to begin negotiating with the federal government to reduce the operational costs of the MSSP program to allow local sites to manage the reduction while maximizing the number of recipients served. |
Over 90 percent of MSSP recipients also receive In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). Since we are recommending reductions to the IHSS program, we think it is important to maintain the infrastructure of the MSSP program for those IHSS recipients who are also MSSP recipients. The MSSP clients have been deemed to be eligible for nursing home placement. Adopting our approach would achieve some General Fund savings while allowing MSSP case managers to assist the most vulnerable IHSS recipients.