Response to Schwarzenegger's Latest Attack on IHSS

Introduction

Main Item

"Given Gov. Schwarzenegger's track record in grossly exaggerating fraud in IHSS, this latest pronouncement of a 'public safety crisis' should be met with extreme skepticism. Let's put the issue in context.

"Even if all of these 210 providers reported alleged to be 'dangerous' felons had past convictions, that represents 0.00005 percent of the 380,000 home-care providers in IHSS. That's hardly a crime wave.

"It's also important to note that there have been no reports of a case where a caregiver with a criminal record has committed a violent crime against an IHSS consumer.

"Let me be clear. The 65,000 providers we represent have no interest in putting the people they care for in danger. Under current law, IHSS consumers can obtain information on the criminal background history of their providers or prospective providers. But Schwarzenegger has failed to provide needed regulations to guide the counties in implementing this law.

"Finally, if the governor is so interested in protecting consumers, why has he cut funding for Adult Protective Services and for the social workers that administer IHSS and tried to throw thousands of consumers out of the program

"It should be obvious that, just as he is attempting to do with his outrageous, unproven fraud claims, Schwarzenegger is using this crime scare tactic as an excuse to cut the program, not to protect consumers. He is trying to do by administrative fiat what he has failed to accomplish in the legislature."